48:1
“Indeed, We have given you a manifest conquest.”
The triumphant opening verse revealed on the return from Hudaybiyyah, reframing what appeared to be a setback as the beginning of a great divine opening for Islam.
All Surahs
Surah 48Madani
الفتح
The Conquest
Al Fath
Verses
29
Revelation
Madani
Period
Madinan
Surah No.
48 / 114
Overview
Al-Fath celebrates the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH/628 CE), which Allah describes as a manifest conquest (fath mubeen) despite appearing at the time as a humiliation. The surah validates the Prophet's vision of entering the Sacred Mosque in peace, describes the pledge of allegiance taken under the tree (Bay'at al-Ridwan), exposes the hypocrites who stayed behind, and closes with a description of the companions as firm against disbelievers and merciful amongst themselves – like a plant that strengthens and awes those who see it.
أسباب النزول
Occasion of Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul)
Revealed after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah when the Prophet and companions were returning to Madinah. Many companions were distressed by the treaty's seemingly unfavourable terms. The surah was revealed entirely during the journey home to reframe the treaty as a divine victory and to explain its deeper strategic wisdom. The final verse (48:29) praising the companions was later cited by the Prophet as the description of his community in the Torah and Gospel.
Key Themes
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah as a divine conquestForgiveness of the Prophet's community and divine pleasureThe pledge of allegiance under the treeExposure of hypocrites who sought excusesThe character of the companions as a plant that grows strong
Notable Verses
48:29
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are firm against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.”
The celebrated description of the companions: combining steadfastness against opposition with tenderness within the community – cited as the defining character of the Muslim ummah.