through Allah’s aid, for His sake, and in pursuit of His pleasure, leading to success in attaining one’s aim and obtaining what one seeks. This is unlike an entrance or departure rooted in falsehood, which has no goal it can reach and no firm foundation on which to stand. An example is the departure of his enemies on the day of Badr, whereas a sound departure is exemplified by his own departure, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, together with his Companions on that expedition. Likewise, his entrance into Medina was a sound entrance, undertaken through Allah’s aid, for His sake, and seeking His pleasure. It was therefore followed by divine support, triumph, victory, and the attainment of what he sought in this world and the Hereafter. This contrasts with the false entrance his enemies sought to make into Medina during the Battle of the Confederates. Their attempt was neither for Allah’s sake nor through His aid; rather, it was an act of opposition to Allah and His Messenger. It brought them nothing but abandonment and ruin.
The same applies to the entry into the fortress of Banū Qurayzah by Jews and those at war with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Because theirs was a false entrance, they suffered what befell them.
Whenever someone enters or departs through Allah’s aid, for His sake, and seeking His pleasure, that person is under Allah’s guarantee. Such an entrance and departure are sound.
One of the early generations would raise his head towards heaven upon leaving his home and say:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from setting out without being under Your guarantee.”
He meant seeking refuge from a departure that was not sound. Thus, a sound entrance and departure have been interpreted as the Prophet’s departure from Mecca and his entrance into Medina, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Undoubtedly, this interpretation gives an example, for that entrance and departure were among the greatest of his entrances and departures. Otherwise, all his entrances and departures were sound, since they were for Allah’s sake, through His aid, by His command, and in pursuit of His pleasure.
No one leaves his home and enters his marketplace, or any other place, except upon truth or falsehood. Everyone’s departure and entrance must fall into one of these two categories. And Allah is the One whose help is sought.
As for honorable mention, it is the truthful praise bestowed upon him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, by all the nations—not praise founded on falsehood. As He said of Abraham and his descendants among the prophets and messengers