Al-Fath (, ; "The Victory") is the 48th chapter (
surah
A ''surah'' (; ; ) is an Arabic word meaning 'chapter' in the Quran. There are 114 ''suwar'' in the Quran, each divided into ayah, verses (). The ''suwar'' are of unequal length; the shortest ''surah'' (al-Kawthar) has only three verses, while ...
) of the
Qur'an
The Quran, also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation directly from God ('' Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which consist of individual verses ('). Besides ...
with 29 verses (
ayat). The surah was revealed in
Medina
Medina, officially al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (, ), also known as Taybah () and known in pre-Islamic times as Yathrib (), is the capital of Medina Province (Saudi Arabia), Medina Province in the Hejaz region of western Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ...
in the sixth year of the
Hijrah
The Hijrah, () also Hegira (from Medieval Latin), was the journey the prophets and messengers in Islam, Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers took from Mecca to Medina. The year in which the Hijrah took place is also identified as the e ...
, on the occasion of the
Treaty of Hudaybiya between the Muslim city-state of Madinah and Makkan polytheists. It mentions this victory, then criticizes the attitudes of the hypocrites, continues with further promises to the Muslims, and ends by mentioning certain important virtues of the Muslim community.
The chapter gets its name from the opening verse, which states "Indeed, We have granted you a clear triumph..." in direct reference to the Treaty which was signed through cooperation between the opposing forces and without bloodshed. The reason this treaty, and therefore chapter, is called a "clear triumph" is largely believed to be because of its peaceful nature.
Summary
*1-3 The
victory (at Ḳhaibar)
*4-7 The mighty God the comforter of true believers, but the punisher of
hypocrites
*8-10 Loyalty to Muhammad is loyalty to God
*11-14 Bedouin Arabs denounced for their treachery at
Hudaibiyah and their subsequent hypocrisy
*15-16 The Bedouin Arabs refused a share of the booty taken at Ḳhaibar, but encouraged with promises
*17 Those alone excused from going to war who are incapacitated
*18-19 Muslim fidelity at Hudaibiyah rewarded by the victory at Ḳhaibar and much spoil taken there
*20-24 Many spoils assured to the believers though God had prevented the plunder of Makkah
*25-26 God spared Makkah in the
expedition to Hudaibiyah out of
compassion
Compassion is a social feeling that motivates people to go out of their way to relieve the physical, mental, or emotional pains of others and themselves. Compassion is sensitivity to the emotional aspects of the suffering of others. When based ...
*27-29 The conquest of Makkah the
divine attestation to Muhammad’s apostleship and the religion of Islam
Details
10 The Soul
focuses on the importance of being dedicated to God. Those who do not dedicate themselves to God and remain that way will have their souls suffer. Those who stay dedicated to God will be rewarded by God.
16 Predictions
contains many predictions in this surah, such as:
* God would help the believers and favor them with great victories;
* those who stayed behind from the Campaign of Minor Pilgrimage would try to excuse themselves with false pretexts;
* they would desire to participate in the campaign against
Khaybar that was to take place following the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah with the aim of taking gains of war;
* the Muslims would have to fight against powerful tribes or states in the future;
* the Muslims would take abundant war-gains in battles to come in the future;
* Muhammad and his Companions would visit the Ka'bah in safety, thus completing the Minor Pilgrimage the year after they had intended;
* God would complete His favor upon the Messenger;
* Islam would continue to flourish so powerfully and speedily that it would amaze both Muslims and others.
18-19 Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
is regarding the
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
27 The first pilgrimage
is regarding
The first pilgrimage.
Al-Fath in the
hadith
Hadith is the Arabic word for a 'report' or an 'account f an event and refers to the Islamic oral tradition of anecdotes containing the purported words, actions, and the silent approvals of the Islamic prophet Muhammad or his immediate circle ...
* Upon its revelation, Muhammad remarked, 'Tonight there has been revealed to me a Surah which is dearer to me than that on which the sun shines (i.e. the world).'
* When consulted to broker peace during a later war,
Sahl ibn Hunaif said, 'Blame yourselves! I remember how, on the day of
Al-Hudaibiya, if we had been allowed to choose fighting, we would have fought (the pagans). At that time 'Umar came (to the Prophet) and said, "Aren't we on the right (path) and they (pagans) in the wrong? Won't our killed persons go to
Paradise
In religion and folklore, paradise is a place of everlasting happiness, delight, and bliss. Paradisiacal notions are often laden with pastoral imagery, and may be cosmogonical, eschatological, or both, often contrasted with the miseries of human ...
, and theirs in the Fire?" The Prophet replied, "Yes." Umar further said, "Then why should we let our
religion
Religion is a range of social system, social-cultural systems, including designated religious behaviour, behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, religious text, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics in religion, ethics, or ...
be degraded and return before
Allah
Allah ( ; , ) is an Arabic term for God, specifically the God in Abrahamic religions, God of Abraham. Outside of the Middle East, it is principally associated with God in Islam, Islam (in which it is also considered the proper name), althoug ...
has settled the matter between us?" The Prophet said, "O the son of Al-Khattab! No doubt, I am Allah's Apostle and Allah will never neglect me." So Umar left the place angrily and he was so impatient that he went to Abu Bakr and said, "O Abu Bakr! Aren't we on the right (path) and they (pagans) on the wrong?"
Abu Bakr
Abd Allah ibn Abi Quhafa (23 August 634), better known by his ''Kunya (Arabic), kunya'' Abu Bakr, was a senior Sahaba, companion, the closest friend, and father-in-law of Muhammad. He served as the first caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate, ruli ...
said, "O the son of Al-Khattab! He is Allah's Apostle, and Allah will never neglect him." Then Sura Al-Fath (The Victory) was revealed."
* Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mughaffal: I saw Allah's Apostle on the day of the Conquest of Mecca over his she-camel, reciting Surat-al-Fath in a vibrant quivering tone.
References
External links
Q48:2 50+ translations, islamawakened.com
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Fath
Jihad
Hajj