وَأُخْرَىٰ لَمْ تَقْدِرُوا۟ عَلَيْهَا قَدْ أَحَاطَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرًا 21
Translations
And [He promises] other [victories] that you were [so far] unable to [realize] which Allāh has already encompassed. And ever is Allāh, over all things, competent.
Transliteration
Wa-akhraà lam taqdiroo 'alayha qad ahata Allahu biha wa-kana Allahu 'ala kulli shay'in qadiran
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to other future victories and conquests that the Muslims will achieve, which they could not accomplish at the time of revelation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to the conquests of Khaybar, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and other lands that Allah had decreed for the Muslim ummah. The ayah emphasizes that Allah encompasses all things with His knowledge and power, assuring the believers that what seems impossible to them is fully within Allah's capability to bring about.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes Surah Al-Fath, which was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH). Though the treaty appeared as a temporary setback to the Companions, Allah promised them greater victories ahead. The surah was revealed to console the believers and assure them of imminent and future triumphs, fulfilling Allah's promise made in verse 48:20.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 2731: The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, 'We have won' - affirming that what appeared as compromise was actually a victory. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the Prophet's prophecy of the ummah conquering Persia, Rome, and the Treasure of the Kasr (palaces).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should trust that Allah's plans extend beyond what they can perceive or accomplish in the present moment; what seems impossible to human effort is entirely possible through Allah's infinite power and wisdom. This teaches resilience during apparent setbacks and confidence that Allah's promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.
Related Ayahs
وَعَدَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَغَانِمَ كَثِيرَةً تَأْخُذُونَهَا فَعَجَّلَ لَكُمْ هَـٰذِهِۦ وَكَفَّ أَيْدِىَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنكُمْ وَلِتَكُونَ ءَايَةً لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَيَهْدِيَكُمْ صِرَٰطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا
Allāh has promised you much booty that you will take [in the future] and has hastened for you this [victory] and withheld the hands of people from you - that it may be a sign for the believers and [that] He may guide you to a straight path.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًا مَّعَ إِيمَـٰنِهِمْ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith. And to Allāh belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and ever is Allāh Knowing and Wise.
وَلَوْ قَـٰتَلَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوَلَّوُا۟ ٱلْأَدْبَـٰرَ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُونَ وَلِيًّا وَلَا نَصِيرًا
And if those [Makkans] who disbelieve had fought you, they would have turned their backs [in flight]. Then they would not find a protector or a helper.
لِّتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُعَزِّرُوهُ وَتُوَقِّرُوهُ وَتُسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
That you [people] may believe in Allāh and His Messenger and honor him and respect him [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ)] and exalt Him [i.e., Allāh] morning and afternoon.