Surah Al-Fath 48:27-29 - Quran Translation Commentary

27. Allah had shown a true vision to his messenger which was a reality. You will indeed enter the sacred mosque (Al- Masjid-ul-Haram), if Allah wills, secure, having your head shaven and your hair cut. You will have no fear.⁵⁵ So HE knew what you know not.⁵⁶ So HE gave you a near victory before this.⁵⁷

28. HE it is Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the true religion so that HE may cause it to prevail over all religions⁵⁸And Allah suffices as a witness.

29. Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah⁵⁹ and those who are with him are stern against disbelievers and merciful among themselves ⁶⁰ You will see them in the state of bowing and prostating ⁶¹ (and will see that) they are absorbed in seeking Allah’s grace and HIS pleasure.⁶² Their sign is the marking of their prostrations on their faces.⁶³ This identity of theirs has been described in the Taurat.⁶⁴ And their similitude in the Injeel is like a farming that sent forth its blade then strengthened it, then it became thick, then it stood firm upon its stem ⁶⁵ it delights the showers so that the disbelievers may become furious against them ⁶⁶ Allah has promised to such of them who believed and who did good deeds, forgiveness and a great reward.⁶⁷

Commentary

55. The holy prophet had seen in his vision that he had entered Makkah with his companions and had performed Umrah. Viewing this vision as an indication from Allah he had proceeded along with his companions for the performance of Umrah. But when they had to return from Hudaibiyah without perf orming U mra h the holy companions felt a pinch in their hearts that when a prophet’s vision always comes true. How is it that they were returning without performing Umrah? Its reply has been given in this ayat that indeed this “Ruya” (vision) was from Allah and it was true and based on truth. Hence it would come true. You would certainly enter Masjid-e- Haram and that too peace fully. There would be no fear or danger. You will be in the state of Ihram and would perform all rites in peace. As per the recorded Hadith when the Holy Prophet was asked this question he replied that he did not say, that they would enter Makka h tha t particular year. You will definitely enter Makkah and would also perform Tawaf (circumbulance) (Bukhari, Kitabus Shuroot). This vision came true the following year and the prophet performed Umrah with his companions in the month of Zil Qada of the year 7 H.E. which is called ‘U mra tul Qa z a ’. On tha t occa sion the disbelievers of Makkah had vacated Makkah for three days. Therefore, the Muslims performed all the rites of Umrah in peace and tranquility. Thus the vision was proved true and the truthfulness of Quran also became manifest. When the Ihra m of U mra h is being removed, hair of head is either shaved or clipped and its mention in this ayah means you would enter the Masjid-e- Haram in the state of Ihram and that you would remove the Ihram after performing the rites of Umrah in peace. While removing Ihram of Umrah it is permissible both to clip or to shave the hair of head. But shaving is preferable.

56. That is: you did not know that you would enter Makkah without fighting. But Alla h knew it. So HE informed you in advance. Likewise that wisdom mentioned before this was not known to you, but Allah knew it. Therefore, HE did not allow the war to occur and destined it for the next year.

57. Means the treaty of Hudaibiyah which beca me an insta nt victory prior to the performance of Umrah, because, this no war pact opened up the avenues of Islamic propagation. Moreover it became a preamble to the conquest of Makkah.

58. This has been explained in Surah Taubah, Note 65 which must be kept in mind here also. There we have explained that the ‘Faail’ (subject) of the word ‘Liyuzharhu’ (HE may cause it to prevail) is Allah, not the prophet. In support, here are the statements of some commentators: Ibne Jarir Tabri says: “Allah Almighty tells to the prophet that O Muha mma d , your L ord , ma king Himself a witness, says that HE will make this religion, with which you are sent, overpowering.” Then, in support, he has quoted the words of Hazrat Ha sa n. (Tafsir-e- Tabari, Vol:29, p.69) Allamah Zamakhshari says: “Allah Almighty will give him victory over cities and will grant such a control over countries that they will consider the conquest of Makkah of lesser importance.” (Alkashshaf, Vol:3, p.550). Allamah Shokani writes: “Tha t is: A llah’s being a witness is sufficient to this ‘IZHAAR’ (victory) which HE has promised to the Muslims.” S. 48 494 Dawatul Quran (Fat’hul Qadeer, Vol:5, p.55) Allamah Aaloosi says: “And this word is not of any single person---and, probably more clear in the context —-- that the way of making religion prominent over other religions will be that HE (Allah) will grant Muslims control over f ollowers of a ll other religions.” (Roohul Ma’ani, Vol:26, p.122) And the most important thing is that the holy prophet himself has referred “Izhaare Din” (predominance of religion) to Allah. So it is mentioned in Seerat Ibne Hisham that the prophet said: “By Allah, I will fight for the religion with which Allah has sent me until Allah makes it dominant.”

59. May anybody believe or disbelieve, it is Allah’s witness that Muhammad is His prophet. “Muhammadur Rasoolullaah” is the second part of Islam’s kalimah (confession of Faith).The full kalimah is like this: (There is no god (deity) save Allah and Muhammmad is the messenger of Allah).

60. Iman (belief) and kufr (disbelief) are two opposite things. Therefore there is a constant tug of war between the two and this struggle also turns into wars. Hence the Muslims cannot be an easy prey for the disbelievers. They become a solid rock in front of them and when the war starts they utilize all of their strength to crush the enemy. It should be understood that being severe against the disbelievers does not mean that even in normal circumstances a harsh tone should be used to talk with them or they should not be treated nicely in worldly affairs or a bad behaviour should be shown toward them. Islam teaches nice behaviour with every human being notwithstanding his belief or religion. And the Muslims being merciful among themselves is a demand of their faith. Among themselves they are not harsh but kind and lenient and loving. The hadith has described their mutual treatment thus: ‘‘In the matter of being mutually merciful and kind the Muslims are like one body wherein if one part has some pain the entire body feels its pinch and gets fever.” (Muslim, Kitabul- Birr)

61. This is an elucidation of praying salat in time. The particularity with which one prays five times a day leaves such impression on the onlooker that the believer remains busy in bowing and prostrating all the time. Their affection for salat has a distinct attribute.

62. This means that all their labour is only for seeking the grace of Allah and His pleasure. They look for God’s grace at every step so that HE may be pleased with them and shower HIS rewards on them. Their final aim too is to please Allah.

63. Means the mark on the forehead due to constant prostration as well as the sign of humility and lowliness (before Allah) which is reflected on his face. Their faces become the mirrors of their hearts and indicate that they are the true worshippers of Allah.

64. This distinctive sign of the holy companions of the holy prophet has been described in Taurat also as mentioned by Quran. But the Taurat available now does not contain it. Not only this subject but several such foretelling regarding the unlettered prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which, as stated by the Quran, were in Taurat are not found in today’s editions, except three or four predictions and they too have been translated in an altered manner. From this it can be concluded that the copies of Taurat which existed in Madina with the Jews at the time of the revelation of the holy Quran and to which the Quran has referred at several places are now not extent. We find a big gap in the existing copies both from the viewpoint of their being devoid of the mention of prayer (Namaz- Salaat) and the Hereafter as well as with regard to the prophecies about the unlettered holy prophet. This clearly indicates that many things have been deleted from the Taurat, many matters have been altered and many words have been translated wrongly so as to hide the reality and truth.

65. In the available copies of the Injeel (Gospel) this subject is found in the following form:- “Another parable he put before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32) In this ayah a picture of the constant increase in the number of the companions of the holy prophet, the strengthening of their group and the gradual progress and victory of Islam is drawn.

66. Those who sowed the seeds of Islam and

67. It is Allah’s promise to those Muslims who are selfless in faith and strong in character! that HE will forgive them and reward them in a big way. These glad tidings are not for those who are Muslims in name only. watered its field became glad on seeing its springing up. But the disbelievers did not like its growing and expanding. Seeing the Muslims feeling happy the disbelievers became angry and envious toward the Muslims.