هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا 28
Translations
It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion. And sufficient is Allāh as Witness.
Transliteration
Huwa alladhī arsala rasūlahu bil-hudā wa dīn al-haqq liyuẓhirah alā ad-dīn kullih, wa kafā billāh shahīdā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah has sent Prophet Muhammad with guidance and the true religion (Islam) in order to make it prevail over all other religions and systems. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this refers to Islam's ultimate supremacy in truth and methodology, though the historical manifestation of this dominance occurs through both spiritual conviction and temporal establishment. The ayah concludes with emphasis that Allah's witness to this divine plan is sufficient, highlighting the certainty of Islam's vindication regardless of opposition.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Fath was revealed in the context of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH), which appeared as a setback to the Muslims but was actually a divine victory. This ayah emphasizes the ultimate purpose of Prophet Muhammad's mission—that despite temporary worldly challenges, Allah's religion will ultimately triumph. The surah reassures believers of the reality of this promised victory.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger' (Sahih Muslim 33). Also relevant: 'The best jihad is a word of truth spoken in front of a tyrannical ruler' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2174), emphasizing the multifaceted means of establishing divine guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that despite facing opposition or apparent setbacks, the ultimate victory of Islam's message is guaranteed by Allah's plan and decree. For modern readers, this inspires confidence in the truth of Islamic teachings and encourages steadfastness in propagating Islam through wisdom and good character, trusting in Allah's promise rather than relying solely on temporal power.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَايِعُونَكَ إِنَّمَا يُبَايِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ يَدُ ٱللَّهِ فَوْقَ أَيْدِيهِمْ ۚ فَمَن نَّكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِمَا عَـٰهَدَ عَلَيْهُ ٱللَّهَ فَسَيُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, [O Muḥammad] - they are actually pledging allegiance to Allāh. The hand of Allāh is over their hands. So he who breaks his word only breaks it to the detriment of himself. And he who fulfills that which he has promised Allāh - He will give him a great reward.
لَّيْسَ عَلَى ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلْأَعْرَجِ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى ٱلْمَرِيضِ حَرَجٌ ۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۖ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ يُعَذِّبْهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
There is not upon the blind any guilt or upon the lame any guilt or upon the ill any guilt [for remaining behind]. And whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger - He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow; but whoever turns away - He will punish him with a painful punishment.
وَمَغَانِمَ كَثِيرَةً يَأْخُذُونَهَا ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
And much war booty which they will take. And ever is Allāh Exalted in Might and Wise.
۞ لَّقَدْ رَضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَـٰبَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِيبًا
Certainly was Allāh pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muḥammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest