وَعَدَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَغَانِمَ كَثِيرَةً تَأْخُذُونَهَا فَعَجَّلَ لَكُمْ هَـٰذِهِۦ وَكَفَّ أَيْدِىَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنكُمْ وَلِتَكُونَ ءَايَةً لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَيَهْدِيَكُمْ صِرَٰطًا مُّسْتَقِيمًا 20
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Wa'adakumu Allahu maghanima kathiratan ta'khuzunaha fa'ajjala lakum hadhihi wa kaffa aydiya an-nasi 'ankum wa litakuna ayatan lil-mu'minina wa yahdikum siratan mustaqiman
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah promised the believers abundant spoils of war which they would obtain in the future, but He accelerated for them the booty of Hudaybiyyah and restrained the hands of the Quraysh from harming them, making this treaty a miraculous sign for the believers. The ayah emphasizes that this swift fulfillment of divine promise and divine protection served as guidance toward the straight path, demonstrating Allah's wisdom in delivering victory through peaceful resolution rather than warfare. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this as fulfillment of Allah's covenant while the greater conquests (Makkah, Khaybar, etc.) came shortly after.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah Al-Fath, which commemorates the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH). Although the Muslims initially perceived the treaty's terms as unfavorable, Allah revealed this surah to explain that this was actually a tremendous victory (fath). The ayah specifically addresses the believers' potential disappointment about not obtaining booty immediately, reassuring them that Allah had promised them greater conquests ahead.
Related Hadiths
Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim: 'Urwah ibn az-Zubayr asked 'Aishah about the day of Hudaybiyyah, and she described how the Sahabah were grieved until Allah revealed Surah Al-Fath, which brought them joy and clarity. Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Bukhari describes how the Prophet (ﷺ) said the treaty would lead to the conquest of Makkah.
Themes
Key Lesson
True victory lies not merely in material gains but in obedience to Allah's plan and recognition of His signs; believers should trust that apparent setbacks may conceal greater divine wisdom and blessings. This ayah teaches modern Muslims to have patience with Allah's timing and to recognize that collective spiritual growth and steadfastness in faith are more valuable than immediate material success.