Al-Fath

For other uses, seeFath.

Surah48 of theQuran

الْفَتْح‎ Al-Fatḥ The Victory
Arabic text English text
Classification	Medinan
Other names	Conquest
Position	Juzʼ26
No.ofverses	29
No.ofRukus	4

Al-Fath(Arabic:الفتح,al-fatḥ;meaning:"The Victory" ) is the 48th chapter (surah) of theQur'anwith 29 verses (ayat). The surah was revealed in Madinah in the sixth year of theHijrah,on the occasion of theTreaty of Hudaybiyabetween the Muslim city-state of Madinah and Makkan polytheists. It mentions this victory, then criticizes the attitudes of the hypocrites, continues with further promises to the Muslims, and ends by mentioning certain important virtues of the Muslim community.

The chapter gets its name from the opening verse, which states "Indeed, We have granted you a clear triumph..." in direct reference to the Treaty which was signed through cooperation between the opposing forces and without bloodshed. The reason this treaty, and therefore chapter, is called a "clear triumph" is largely believed to be because of its peaceful nature.

Summary

Mecca mentioned in Quranic manuscript Codex Arabe 331 (Q48:24)

• 1-3Thevictory (at Ḳhaibar)
• 4-7The mighty God the comforter of true believers, but the punisher ofhypocrites
• 8-10Loyalty to Muhammad is loyalty to God
• 11-14Bedouin Arabs denounced for their treachery atHudaibiyahand their subsequent hypocrisy
• 15-16The Bedouin Arabs refused a share of the booty taken at Ḳhaibar, but encouraged with promises
• 17Those alone excused from going to war who are incapacitated
• 18-19Muslim fidelity at Hudaibiyah rewarded by the victory at Ḳhaibar and much spoil taken there
• 20-24Many spoils assured to the believers though God had prevented the plunder of Makkah
• 25-26God spared Makkah in theexpedition to Hudaibiyahout ofcompassion
• 27-29The conquest of Makkah thedivine attestation to Muhammad’s apostleshipand the religion of Islam

Details

10 The Soul

48:10focuses on the importance of being dedicated to God. Those who do not dedicate themselves to God and remain that way will have their souls suffer. Those who stay dedicated to God will be rewarded by God.

16 Predictions

48:16contains many predictions in this surah, such as:

• God would help the believers and favor them with great victories;
• those who stayed behind from the Campaign of Minor Pilgrimage would try to excuse themselves with false pretexts;
• they would desire to participate in the campaign againstKhaybarthat was to take place following the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah with the aim of taking gains of war;
• the Muslims would have to fight against powerful tribes or states in the future;
• the Muslims would take abundant war-gains in battles to come in the future;
• Muhammad and his Companions would visit the Ka'bah in safety, thus completing the Minor Pilgrimage the year after they had intended;
• God would complete His favor upon the Messenger;
• Islam would continue to flourish so powerfully and speedily that it would amaze both Muslims and others.

18-19 Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

48:18-19is regarding theTreaty of Hudaybiyyah.

Quotation from verse 27 on a textile panel of thesitarafor the door of theKaaba,19th century

27 The first pilgrimage

48:27is regardingThe first pilgrimage.

Al-Fath in thehadith

• Upon its revelation, Muhammad remarked, 'Tonight there has been revealed to me a Surah which is dearer to me than that on which the sun shines (i.e. the world).'

Folio from aQuraninKufic script,Abbasid dynasty,Near EastorNorth Africa.Ink and color on parchment, 23.9 × 33.3 cm. Part of Al-FathSura.

• When consulted to broker peace during a later war,Sahl ibn Hunaifsaid, 'Blame yourselves! I remember how, on the day ofAl-Hudaibiya,if we had been allowed to choose fighting, we would have fought (the pagans). At that time 'Umar came (to the Prophet) and said, "Aren't we on the right (path) and they (pagans) in the wrong? Won't our killed persons go toParadise,and theirs in the Fire? "The Prophet replied," Yes. "Umar further said," Then why should we let ourreligionbe degraded and return beforeAllahhas settled the matter between us? "The Prophet said," O the son of Al-Khattab! No doubt, I am Allah's Apostle and Allah will never neglect me. "So Umar left the place angrily and he was so impatient that he went to Abu Bakr and said," O Abu Bakr! Aren't we on the right (path) and they (pagans) on the wrong? "Abu Bakrsaid, "O the son of Al-Khattab! He is Allah's Apostle, and Allah will never neglect him." Then Sura Al-Fath (The Victory) was revealed. "
• Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mughaffal: I saw Allah's Apostle on the day of the Conquest of Mecca over his she-camel, reciting Surat-al-Fath in a vibrant quivering tone.

External links

• Q48:2,50+ translations, islamawakened.com
• Works related toThe Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/48. The Victoryat Wikisource