هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا 28
Translations
It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to manifest it over all religion. And sufficient is Allāh as Witness.
Transliteration
Huwa alladhī arsala rasūlahu bil-hudā wa dīn al-haqq liyuẓhirah alā ad-dīn kullih, wa kafā billāh shahīdā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that Allah has sent Prophet Muhammad with guidance and the true religion (Islam) in order to make it prevail over all other religions and systems. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that this refers to Islam's ultimate supremacy in truth and methodology, though the historical manifestation of this dominance occurs through both spiritual conviction and temporal establishment. The ayah concludes with emphasis that Allah's witness to this divine plan is sufficient, highlighting the certainty of Islam's vindication regardless of opposition.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Fath was revealed in the context of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH), which appeared as a setback to the Muslims but was actually a divine victory. This ayah emphasizes the ultimate purpose of Prophet Muhammad's mission—that despite temporary worldly challenges, Allah's religion will ultimately triumph. The surah reassures believers of the reality of this promised victory.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger' (Sahih Muslim 33). Also relevant: 'The best jihad is a word of truth spoken in front of a tyrannical ruler' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2174), emphasizing the multifaceted means of establishing divine guidance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that despite facing opposition or apparent setbacks, the ultimate victory of Islam's message is guaranteed by Allah's plan and decree. For modern readers, this inspires confidence in the truth of Islamic teachings and encourages steadfastness in propagating Islam through wisdom and good character, trusting in Allah's promise rather than relying solely on temporal power.
Related Ayahs
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًا مَّعَ إِيمَـٰنِهِمْ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith. And to Allāh belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth, and ever is Allāh Knowing and Wise.
وَمَغَانِمَ كَثِيرَةً يَأْخُذُونَهَا ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا
And much war booty which they will take. And ever is Allāh Exalted in Might and Wise.
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
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.