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
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.
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.
وَمَغَانِمَ كَثِيرَةً يَأْخُذُونَهَا ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
And much war booty which they will take. And ever is Allāh Exalted in Might and Wise.
لِّيَغْفِرَ لَكَ ٱللَّهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِن ذَنۢبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ وَيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكَ وَيَهْدِيَكَ صِرَٰطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا
That Allāh may forgive for you what preceded of your sin [i.e., errors] and what will follow and complete His favor upon you and guide you to a straight path