Surah Al Fath Notes (4-9)

Source: Ibn Kathir

Allah sent down the Sakinah into the Hearts of the Believers

(4) He it is Who sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) into the hearts of the believers, that they may grow more in Faith along with their (present) Faith. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.

Allah the Exalted said,

(He it is Who sent down As-Sakinah), meaning, tranquility. Qatadah commented, "Grace into the hearts of the believers'', that is, the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, on the Day of Al-Hudaybiyyah. The companions were they, who accepted the call of Allah and His Messenger and obeyed the decisions of Allah and His Messenger. When their hearts felt content with acceptance and were at peace, Allah increased their faith, joining it to the faith they already had. Al-Bukhari and other Imams relied on this Ayah as proof that faith increases and decreases in the hearts. Allah the Exalted said next that had He willed, He would have inflicted defeat on the disbelievers, Allah says;

(And to Allah belong the armies of the heavens and the earth) and had He willed to send only one angel to them, that angel would have brought destruction to all what they had. However, Allah the Exalted willed Jihad and fighting to be established for, and by, the believers for great wisdom, clear reasons and unequivocal evidence that He had in all this. This is why Allah the Great said next,

(and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.) 

Allah the Exalted and Most Honored said,

(5) That He may admit the believing men and the believing women to Gardens under which rivers flow (i.e. Paradise), to abide therein forever, and to expiate from them their sins, and that is with Allah, a supreme success,

(That He may admit the believing men and the believing women to Gardens under which rivers flow to abide therein forever,) We mentioned the Hadith that Anas narrated in which the Companions said, "Congratulations, O Allah's Messenger! This good news is for you, so what good news do we have'' Allah the Exalted sent down this Ayah,

(That He may admit the believing men and the believing women to Gardens under which rivers flow to abide therein forever,) meaning they will remain in Paradise forever,

(and He may expiate from them their sins;) Allah will not punish them for their errors and mistakes. Rather, He will forgive, absolve and pardon them and cover the errors, grant mercy and appreciate,

(and that is with Allah supreme success.) Allah the Exalted said in a similar Ayah,

(And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful.) (3:185) 

(6) And that He may punish the Munafiqun (hypocrites), men and women, and also the Mushrikun men and women, who think evil thoughts about Allah, for them is a disgraceful torment, and the Anger of Allah is upon them, and He has cursed them and prepared Hell for them, and worst indeed is that destination.

(And that He may punish the hypocrites, men and women, and also the idolators, men and women, who think evil thoughts about Allah,) who question the wisdom in Allah's decisions and think that the Messenger and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, might be killed and exterminated. 

This is why Allah the Exalted said,

(for them is a disgraceful torment. And the anger of Allah is upon them, and He has cursed them) He has cast them away from His mercy,

(and prepared Hell for them -- and worst indeed is that destination.) Allah the Exalted and Most Honored asserted His ability to take revenge from the enemies of Islam and all disbelievers and hypocrites,

(7) And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.

Qualities of the Messenger of Allah

(8) Verily, We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner.

Allah the Exalted says to His Prophet, Muhammad,

(Verily, We have sent you as a witness,) of the creation,

(as a bearer of glad tidings,) to the believers,

(and as a warner.) to the disbelievers.

(9) In order that you (O mankind) may believe in Allah and His Messenger (SAW), and that you assist and honor him (SAW), and (that you) glorify (Allah's) praises morning and afternoon.

(In order that you may believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you Tu`azziruh) or you honor him, according to `Abdullah bin `Abbas and several others,

(and Tuwaqqiruh), where Tawqir means, respect, honor and high regard,

(and that you Tusabbihuh), glorify Allah's praises,

(Bukrah and Asila), the early and late part of the day.