مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُۥٓ أَشِدَّآءُ عَلَى ٱلْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ تَرَىٰهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنًا ۖ سِيمَاهُمْ فِى وُجُوهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ ٱلسُّجُودِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ ۚ وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِى ٱلْإِنجِيلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْـَٔهُۥ فَـَٔازَرَهُۥ فَٱسْتَغْلَظَ فَٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَىٰ سُوقِهِۦ يُعْجِبُ ٱلزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيظَ بِهِمُ ٱلْكُفَّارَ ۗ وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ مِنْهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًۢا 29
Translations
Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allāh; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allāh and [His] pleasure. Their sign is in their faces from the effect of prostration [i.e., prayer]. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers - so that He [i.e., Allāh] may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allāh has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.
Transliteration
Muhammadun rasūlullāh wa-alladhīna ma'ahū ashhiddā'u 'alā al-kuffāri ruhamā'u baynahum tarāhum rukka'an sujjādan yabtaghūna fadlān min-allāhi wa-ridwānā sīmāhum fī wujūhihim min athari al-sujūd dhālik mathalhum fī al-tawrāh wa-mathalhum fī al-injīl ka-zar'in akhraj sha'tahū fa'āzarah fa-istaghlaza fa-istawa 'alā sūqih yu'jibu al-zurra'a liyaghīz bihim al-kuffār wa'ada-allāhu alladhīna āmanū wa-'amilū al-sālihāti minhum maghfiratan wa-ajran 'azīmā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This closing verse of Surah Al-Fath provides a comprehensive description of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the believers with him, characterizing them as stern against disbelievers yet merciful among themselves, devoted to worship and seeking Allah's favor and pleasure. The verse employs the metaphor of growing plants (mentioned in the Torah and Gospel) to illustrate their strength and unity, and promises them forgiveness and great reward for their faith and righteous deeds. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this verse synthesizes Islamic character traits: strength in conviction, mercy in community, humility in worship, and the inevitable triumph of the believers over disbelief.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH), which appeared as a setback but was actually a great victory (fath) for the Muslims. The surah praises the believers who remained steadfast during this period, establishing the foundation for Islam's expansion. This final verse encapsulates the spiritual and moral qualities that enabled this victory.
Related Hadiths
1) Hadith in Sahih Bukhari: The Prophet (pbuh) said, 'The example of my Ummah is like rain; it is not known whether the beginning or end is better.' (Related to the plant metaphor and growth). 2) Hadith in Tirmidhi: 'The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are like one body. When one limb complains, the whole body responds.' (Related to mercy among believers)
Themes
Key Lesson
True Islamic character requires a dual nature: unwavering firmness against falsehood combined with genuine compassion toward one another, grounded in constant remembrance of Allah through prayer and sincere devotion. For modern Muslims, this ayah teaches that our individual and collective strength comes not from material power, but from spiritual commitment, moral integrity, and treating fellow believers with genuine kindness.
Related Ayahs
بَلْ ظَنَنتُمْ أَن لَّن يَنقَلِبَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِيهِمْ أَبَدًا وَزُيِّنَ ذَٰلِكَ فِى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَظَنَنتُمْ ظَنَّ ٱلسَّوْءِ وَكُنتُمْ قَوْمًۢا بُورًا
But you thought that the Messenger and the believers would never return to their families, ever, and that was made pleasing in your hearts. And you assumed an assumption of evil and became a people ruined."
وَيَنصُرَكَ ٱللَّهُ نَصْرًا عَزِيزًا
And [that] Allāh may aid you with a mighty victory.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
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.
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