Names
This surah is called Surat Al-Fat-h. [309] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/432.
The evidence for that includes the following:
It was narrated that ?Abdullah ibn Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: During the conquest, when he was riding to Makkah, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) recited Surat Al-Fat-h atop his mount, and he recited in a quavering tone. [310] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 4281; Muslim, 794.
Virtues and characteristics
It was narrated from Aslam Al-?Adawi, the freed slave of ?Umar, that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was on one of his journeys travelling by night, and ?Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was travelling with him. ?Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him about something and the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) did not respond. He asked him again, and he did not respond, then he asked him again, and he did not respond. ?Umar said to himself: May your mother be bereft of you, O ?Umar! You have impudently asked the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) three times, and each time he did not respond to you. ?Umar said: So I spurred my camel on, and went ahead of the Muslims, and I was afraid that Qur?an would be revealed concerning me. After a short while I heard someone shouting my name, and I said: I was afraid that Qur?an would be revealed about me! I came to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and greeted him with salaam, and he said: ?Tonight a surah has been revealed to me that is more beloved to me than all that the sun rises upon.? Then he recited: Verily, We have granted you O Muhammad, in the Treaty of Al-Hudaybiyah a manifest victory Al-Fat-h 48:1. [311] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 4177, 4833 and 5012.
It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When the verses
Verily, We have granted you O Muhammad, in the Treaty of Al-Hudaybiyah a manifest victory,
so that Allah may forgive you ?
? a great triumph
Al-Fat-h 48:1-5
were revealed, on the way back from Al-Hudaybiyah, at a time when they were overwhelmed with grief and distress, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had sacrificed his hadiy (sacrificial animal) at Al-Hudaybiyah, he said: ?There has been revealed to me a verse that is dearer to me than the whole world.? [312] Narrated by Muslim, 1786.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-Fat-h is Madani [313] See: Hibatullah ibn Salamah: An-Nasikh wa?l-Manskh, p. 166; Abu ?Amr Ad-Dani: Al-Bayan fi ?Addi Ayi Al-Qur?an, p. 229; Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 5/110. ; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [314] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include Ibn Al-Jawzi, Al-Qurtubi and Al-Fayruzabadi. See: Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/1125; Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 16/259; Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/432.
Objectives
The most important objectives of Surat Al-Fat-h include:
Giving glad tidings of different kinds to the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his Companions. [315] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/432; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 26/142; At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 13/290.
Describing the hypocrites and disbelievers, and highlighting their true nature. [316] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 13/290, 291.
Highlighting many of the manifestations of Allah?s bounty and mercy towards His believing slaves. [317] Ibid.
Topics
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Fat-h include:
Glad tidings to the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) of a manifest victory, and a promise to him of forgiveness and completing His blessings upon him, guiding him and supporting him.
A promise to the believers and a warning to the disbelievers and hypocrites.
Highlighting the role of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his directing the believers to their duties after he conveyed the message to them.
Praise for those who swore allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and a promise to them of victory in this world and immense reward in the hereafter.
The Treaty of Al-Hudaybiyah, and the attitudes and bad characteristics of the hypocrites who stayed behind from it; what happened subsequently of their being prevented from taking part in the Khaybar campaign and informing them that they would be called upon to join another campaign of jihad.
Highlighting those with valid excuses for whom it is permissible to stay behind from jihad.
Discussion of Bay?at Ar-Ridwan and highlighting the high status of those who were present thereat; Allah?s glad tidings of what He has prepared for them of abundant booty and conquests.
Highlighting the reasons which prompted the disbelievers to bar the believers from reaching the Sacred House.
Confirming the dream of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that he and his Companions would enter Al-Masjid Al-Haram safely.
The status of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his companions, and their good qualities, were mentioned in the Torah and Gospel; and what Allah has prepared for those who believe and do righteous deeds of forgiveness and great reward.