وَأُخْرَىٰ لَمْ تَقْدِرُوا۟ عَلَيْهَا قَدْ أَحَاطَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرًا 21
Translations
And [He promises] other [victories] that you were [so far] unable to [realize] which Allāh has already encompassed. And ever is Allāh, over all things, competent.
Transliteration
Wa-akhraà lam taqdiroo 'alayha qad ahata Allahu biha wa-kana Allahu 'ala kulli shay'in qadiran
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to other future victories and conquests that the Muslims will achieve, which they could not accomplish at the time of revelation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to the conquests of Khaybar, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and other lands that Allah had decreed for the Muslim ummah. The ayah emphasizes that Allah encompasses all things with His knowledge and power, assuring the believers that what seems impossible to them is fully within Allah's capability to bring about.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes Surah Al-Fath, which was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH). Though the treaty appeared as a temporary setback to the Companions, Allah promised them greater victories ahead. The surah was revealed to console the believers and assure them of imminent and future triumphs, fulfilling Allah's promise made in verse 48:20.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 2731: The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, 'We have won' - affirming that what appeared as compromise was actually a victory. Also relevant is the hadith in Sahih Muslim about the Prophet's prophecy of the ummah conquering Persia, Rome, and the Treasure of the Kasr (palaces).
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should trust that Allah's plans extend beyond what they can perceive or accomplish in the present moment; what seems impossible to human effort is entirely possible through Allah's infinite power and wisdom. This teaches resilience during apparent setbacks and confidence that Allah's promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.
Related Ayahs
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.
هُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَٱلْهَدْىَ مَعْكُوفًا أَن يَبْلُغَ مَحِلَّهُۥ ۚ وَلَوْلَا رِجَالٌ مُّؤْمِنُونَ وَنِسَآءٌ مُّؤْمِنَـٰتٌ لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوهُمْ أَن تَطَـُٔوهُمْ فَتُصِيبَكُم مِّنْهُم مَّعَرَّةٌۢ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ ۖ لِّيُدْخِلَ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ لَوْ تَزَيَّلُوا۟ لَعَذَّبْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
They are the ones who disbelieved and obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām while the offering was prevented from reaching its place of sacrifice. And if not for believing men and believing women whom you did not know - that you might trample [i.e., kill] them and there would befall you because of them dishonor without [your] knowledge - [you would have been permitted to enter Makkah]. [This was so] that Allāh might admit to His mercy whom He willed. If they had been apart [from them], We would have punished those who disbelieved among them with painful punishment
وَمَن لَّمْ يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ فَإِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ سَعِيرًا
And whoever has not believed in Allāh and His Messenger - then indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers a Blaze.
سُنَّةَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ ٱللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا
[This is] the established way of Allāh which has occurred before. And never will you find in the way of Allāh any change.