وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْفَتْحُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ 28
Translations
And they say, "When will be this conquest, if you should be truthful?"
Transliteration
Wa-yaqūlūna matā hādhā al-fatḥu in kuntum ṣādiqīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers mockingly ask the believers, 'When will this victory (or conquest/divine judgment) come if you are truthful?' This ayah addresses the taunting of the Meccan polytheists who doubted the Prophet's message and challenged Muslims to produce proof of Allah's promised aid and victory. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir interpret 'al-fath' (the opening/victory) to refer to either the conquest of Mecca, Allah's judgment against the disbelievers, or the general triumph of Islam, emphasizing that Allah's promises come in His own time and testing believers' patience is part of their faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of As-Sajdah's broader context addressing the mockery and challenges faced by early Muslims in Mecca. The polytheists consistently taunted believers about the fulfillment of Quranic promises, particularly regarding divine aid and victory. This surah was revealed during the Meccan period when Muslims faced persecution and ridicule from those who doubted the truthfulness of the message.
Related Hadiths
The concept relates to Surah Al-'Ankabut 29:2-3 with the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet ﷺ stated: 'The people will be tested according to the degree of their faith.' Additionally, Tirmidhi records the Prophet's encouragement to patience when facing such mockery, emphasizing that Allah's promise is true even when disbelievers doubt.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to remain steadfast despite ridicule and doubt from others, trusting in Allah's promises even when their fulfillment seems delayed. It reminds us that faith is tested through opposition, and patience in adversity is a sign of sincere belief in Allah's guidance.