Return from Ḥudaibiyyah & Revelation of Sūrah Al-Fatḥ

After making his sacrifice, the Holy Prophet(sa) ordered the return to Madīnah. At the time, it had been a little under 20 days since the Holy Prophet(sa) had arrived in Ḥudaibiyyah. During his return journey, when the Holy Prophet(sa) reached Kirā‘ul-Ghamīm near ‘Usfān and it was night, the Holy Prophet(sa) made an announcement and gathered all the companions. He said, “This night, a Sūrah has been revealed to me, and it is more dear to me than all the things of this world.” It is as follows:

“O Messenger, we have indeed given thee a magnificent victory, so that we may begin for you an era, wherein the veil of forgiveness shall cover up thy shortcomings, past and future, and that He may complete His favour upon thee and may guide thee on the straight path of success. And indeed, Allāh shall help thee with a mighty help...The truth is that God indeed fulfilled the vision for His Messenger. For now, God Willing, you shall enter the sacred house in a state of security, some of you having their heads shaven and others having their hair cut short, and you shall have no fear.” In other words, if you were to have entered Makkah this year it would not have been an entry of security, it would have been an entry of war and bloodshed. However, in the vision, God had shown an entry of security and it is for this reason that as a result of the agreement this year, a state of security has been devised. Now, in accordance with the vision shown by God, you shall soon enter the Sacred Mosque in a state of security. Indeed, it so happened.1

When the Holy Prophet(sa) recited these verses to the companions, since the hearts of a few companions still felt the bitterness of the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah, they became surprised thinking that although they were returning in failure, but yet God was giving them good wishes on their victory. Some hasty companions even said, “Is it a victory that we are returning whilst being deprived of performing Ṭawāf around the Baitullāh?” When these words reached the Holy Prophet(sa), he expressed great displeasure. In a brief but powerful speech he said:

“This is an absurd objection, because if you reflect it shall become evident that the Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah is truly a momentous victory. The Quraish who were bent on war, have themselves forsaken war and settled a peace treaty with us, and have promised to open the doors of Makkah to us the following year. Safeguarded from the mischief of the Quraish, we are now returning in peace and security, whilst receiving the fragrance of our future victory. Therefore, indeed, this is a grand victory. Have you all forgotten how this very tribe, the Quraish, launched onslaughts of war against you in Uḥud and Aḥzāb? This earth, with all its vastness, became straitened for you and your eyes were petrified, and you trembled in fear. Today, however, this very Quraish is settling a treaty of peace and security with you.”

The companions responded, “O Messenger of Allāh! We have understood, we have understood. We cannot reach your farsightedness, but now we have understood that this treaty truly is a momentous victory for us.”2