Al-Fatḥ (Surah 48)
Al-Fatḥ (The Triumph)
Madni SurahIntroduction
This Medinian sûrah takes its name from the clear triumph (i.e., Treaty of Ḥudaibiyah) in verse 1. The Prophet (ﷺ) and 1400 of his companions travelled to Mecca to perform the minor pilgrimage (’umrah) in 6 A.H./628 C.E. He (ﷺ) sent ’Uthmân ibn ’Affân to let the Meccans know that the Muslims had come in peace, only to visit the Sacred House. When the Meccans delayed ’Uthmân, the Prophet (ﷺ) thought they might have killed his envoy. So he (ﷺ) called upon the faithful to pledge allegiance to him under a tree at Ḥudaibiyah in the outskirts of Mecca. Shortly after, ’Uthmân returned safely and a peace agreement was signed by the Muslims and Meccan pagans, stating in part that the Muslims would have to return to Medina and come back next year for ’umrah. The Treaty of Ḥudaibiyah is described as a clear triumph since it established peace, temporarily diffused the tension between the Muslims and the Meccan pagans, and gave the Muslims plenty of time to spread awareness and understanding of their faith. Thousands from different tribes accepted Islam during that truce. The sûrah commends the believers for proving true to Allah and His Messenger, criticizes the hypocrites for not marching forth with the Prophet (ﷺ), and condemns the pagans for denying the believers access to the Sacred House. The description of the true believers both in the Torah and the Gospel is given at the end of the sûrah, followed by instructions on proper conduct with the Prophet (ﷺ) and other believers in the next sûrah. In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
Treaty of Ḥudaibiyah
1. Indeed, We have granted you a clear triumph (O Prophet) 2. so that Allah may forgive you for your past and future shortcomings, perfect His favour upon you, guide you along the Straight Path, 3. and so that Allah will help you tremendously. 4. He is the One Who sent down serenity upon the hearts of the believers so that they may increase even more in their faith. To Allah (alone) belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. 5. So He may admit believing men and women into Gardens under which rivers flow—to stay there forever—and absolve them of their sins. And that is a supreme achievement in the sight of Allah. 6. Also (so that) He may punish hypocrite men and women and polytheistic men and women, who harbour evil thoughts of Allah. May ill-fate befall them! Allah is displeased with them. He has condemned them and prepared for them Hell. What an evil destination! 7. To Allah (alone) belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.
Surah 48 - Al-Fatḥ (The Triumph) - Verses 1-7
The Prophet’s Duty
8. Indeed, (O Prophet,) We have sent you as a witness, a deliverer of good news, and a warner, 9. so that you (believers) may have faith in Allah and His Messenger, support and honour him, and glorify Allah morning and evening.
Surah 48 - Al-Fatḥ (The Triumph) - Verses 8-9
Allegiance Under the Tree
10. Surely those who pledge allegiance to you (O Prophet) are actually pledging allegiance to Allah. Allah’s Hand is over theirs. Whoever breaks their pledge, it will only be to their own loss. And whoever fulfils their pledge to Allah, He will grant them a great reward.
Surah 48 - Al-Fatḥ (The Triumph) - Verses 10-10
Fake Excuses for Not Travelling to Mecca
11. The nomadic Arabs, who stayed behind, will say to you (O Prophet), “We were preoccupied with our wealth and families, so ask for forgiveness for us.” They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say, “Who then can stand between you and Allah in any way, if He intends harm or benefit for you? In fact, Allah is All-Aware of what you do. 12. The truth is: you thought that the Messenger and the believers would never return to their families again. And that was made appealing in your hearts. You harboured evil thoughts (about Allah), and (so) became a doomed people.” 13. And whoever does not believe in Allah and His Messenger, then We surely have prepared for the disbelievers a blazing Fire. 14. To Allah (alone) belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He forgives whoever He wills, and punishes whoever He wills. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.