۞ لَّقَدْ رَضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَـٰبَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِيبًا 18
Translations
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
Transliteration
Laqad radiya Allahu 'ani al-mu'minina idh yubaya'unaka tahta ash-shajarah fa'alima ma fi qulubihim fa-anzala as-sakinata 'alayhim wa-ath'abahum fathan qariba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Pledge of al-Ridwan at Hudaybiyyah (6 AH), when approximately 1,400 believers pledged allegiance to Prophet Muhammad under a tree, accepting whatever terms he would accept regarding the journey to Makkah. Allah's pleasure with them is affirmed, and He revealed tranquility upon their hearts while they swore their oath, knowing their sincere intentions. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this pledge became one of the most honored moments in Islamic history, and Allah rewarded their steadfastness with the subsequent conquest of Khaybar and the promise of Makkah's opening.
Revelation Context
Revealed in the context of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, when the Prophet and his companions were prevented from entering Makkah by the Quraysh. The Bedouin initially hesitated to pledge, but after the Prophet himself took the oath under the tree, all 1,400+ companions followed in unwavering loyalty. This moment demonstrated their absolute trust in the Prophet despite apparent worldly setback.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4156): 'Umar ibn al-Khattab reported that the Prophet said to those under the tree: 'You are the best of the people.' Also, Muslim (1856) records that this pledge was taken with full consciousness that they pledged unto death (bay'at ar-ridwan).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that sincerity of heart and unwavering commitment to faith, even in difficult circumstances, earn Allah's pleasure and bring spiritual peace. Our steadfastness in difficult times with sincere intention positions us for ultimate victory, even when worldly outcomes initially seem unfavorable.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَـٰكَ شَـٰهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
Indeed, We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى كَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ عَنْهُم بِبَطْنِ مَكَّةَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَنْ أَظْفَرَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرًا
And it is He who withheld their hands from you and your hands from them within [the area of] Makkah after He caused you to overcome them. And ever is Allāh, of what you do, Seeing.
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.
لِّيُدْخِلَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَيُكَفِّرَ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا
[And] that He may admit the believing men and the believing women to gardens beneath which rivers flow to abide therein eternally and remove from them their misdeeds - and ever is that, in the sight of Allāh, a great attainment