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
سَيَقُولُ لَكَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ شَغَلَتْنَآ أَمْوَٰلُنَا وَأَهْلُونَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا إِنْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ ضَرًّا أَوْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ نَفْعًۢا ۚ بَلْ كَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۢا
Those who remained behind of the bedouins will say to you, "Our properties and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us." They say with their tongues what is not within their hearts. Say, "Then who could prevent Allāh at all if He intended for you harm or intended for you benefit? Rather, ever is Allāh, of what you do, Aware.
وَأُخْرَىٰ لَمْ تَقْدِرُوا۟ عَلَيْهَا قَدْ أَحَاطَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرًا
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.
وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
And to Allāh belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth. And ever is Allāh Exalted in Might and Wise.
إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ شَـٰهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
Indeed, We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner