Translation:
Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including 1225 steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom you may not know, but whom 1226 Allah do know. Whatever you shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and you shall not be treated unjustly. 1227
Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including 1225 steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom you may not know, but whom 1226 Allah do know. Whatever you shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and you shall not be treated unjustly. 1227
Translation:
Hence, make ready against them whatever force and war mounts 64 you are able to muster, so that you might deter thereby the enemies of God, who are your enemies as well, 65 and others besides them of whom you may be unaware, [but] of whom God is aware; and whatever you may expend 66 in God's cause shall be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.
Hence, make ready against them whatever force and war mounts 64 you are able to muster, so that you might deter thereby the enemies of God, who are your enemies as well, 65 and others besides them of whom you may be unaware, [but] of whom God is aware; and whatever you may expend 66 in God's cause shall be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.
Commentary:
64 Lit., "tethering of horses" (ribat al-khavl): an expression which signifies "holding in readiness mounted troups at all points open to enemy invasion (thughur)"; hence, tropically, the over-all maintenance of military preparedness.
65 Lit., "God's enemy and your enemy" - implying that every "enemy of God" (i.e., everyone who deliberately opposes and seeks to undermine the moral laws laid down by God) is, eo ipso, an enemy of those who believe in Him.
66 I.e., of resources, efforts and sacrifice of life.
64 Lit., "tethering of horses" (ribat al-khavl): an expression which signifies "holding in readiness mounted troups at all points open to enemy invasion (thughur)"; hence, tropically, the over-all maintenance of military preparedness.
65 Lit., "God's enemy and your enemy" - implying that every "enemy of God" (i.e., everyone who deliberately opposes and seeks to undermine the moral laws laid down by God) is, eo ipso, an enemy of those who believe in Him.
66 I.e., of resources, efforts and sacrifice of life.
1225 The immediate occasion of this injunction was the weakness of cavalry and appointments of war in the early fights of Islam. But the general meaning follows. In every fight, physical, moral, or spiritual, arm yourself with the best weapons and the best arms against your enemy, so as to instil wholesome respect into him for you and the Cause you stand for.
1226 There are always lurking enemies whom you may not know, but whom Allah knows. It is your duty to be ready against all, for the sacred Cause under whose banner you are fighting.
1227 Be always ready and put all your resources into your Cause. You do not do so in vain. Allah's reward will come in various forms. He knows all, and His reward will always be more generous than you can possibly deserve.