al-Fath is the 48th sura of the Qur’an, which means ‘The Victory’. It derives its name from the 1st verse, in which God Almighty tells Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) that He has given him a clear victory (i.e. the Treaty of al-Hudaybiya in 6 ah. and the coming conquests including the conquest of Mecca in 8 ah. The sura belongs to the Medinan period and comprises 29 verses, 560 words, 2,438 letters, and 4 segments. It is the 111th sura in chronological order, revealed after Sura al-Jumu‘a. This sura was revealed in the context of the Holy Prophet’s (blessings and peace be upon him) journey to Mecca to perform ‘Umra (minor pilgrimage) with his 1,400 Companions (may God be pleased with them). Upon their arrival, the Quraysh of Mecca stopped the Muslims at al-Hudaybiya, refusing them entry into the Sacred City. The Muslims and the Quraysh agreed upon a treaty known as the Treaty of Hudaybiya, which included a clause, among others, that both parties (the Meccans and Medinans) would cease hostilities for ten years. The Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) and the Companions (may God be pleased with them) slaugh-tered their sacrificial animals at Hudaybiya and began to return to Medina. It was upon this occasion that this sura was revealed declaring the treaty of Hudaybiya a clear victory, as the treaty established peace and diffused hostilities and tensions between the two states. During this time of Truce, thousands of people from different tribes embraced Islam. It also opened the way to conquer Khybar, eliminating the treacheries of Jewish tribes within and threats against the Muslim state. Furthermore, the sura refers to the pledge of allegiance, commonly known as ‘Bay‘a al-Ridwan’. Those who travelled with the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) and pledged allegiance to him are praised and promised extensive spoils in this life and great rewards in the Hereafter. The sura continues by describing the wisdom behind the truce, the Meccan people’s arrogance and the fulfilment of the Holy Prophet’s (blessings and peace be upon him) vision in all truth. The sura concludes by mentioning the descriptions of the believers in the Torah and the Gospel and mentions the great rewards awarded to those who believe and perform righteous deeds.