Ata al-Khurasani said: It is: “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” (1)

Al-Zuhri said: It is: “In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.” (2)

“And they were more entitled to it” than the disbelievers of Makkah, “and worthy of it”; that is, they were worthy of it in Allah’s knowledge, for Allah Most High chose for His religion and for companionship of His Prophet the people of goodness. “And Allah is Knowing of all things.”

“Allah has certainly fulfilled His Messenger’s true vision: You will surely enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved or your hair shortened, fearing no one. He knew what you did not know, and so He granted, before that, a near victory.” (27)

“Allah has certainly fulfilled His Messenger’s true vision: You will surely enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, in safety.” This was because, while in Madinah and before setting out for al-Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was shown in a dream that he and his Companions would enter the Sacred Mosque in safety, shaving their heads and shortening their hair. He informed his Companions of this, and they rejoiced, thinking that they would enter Makkah that very year. But when they returned without entering it, this distressed them; so Allah revealed this verse. (3)

It is reported from Majma ibn Jariyah al-Ansari that he said: We were present at al-Hudaybiyyah with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. [When we departed from it, the people were urging their camels onward. Some of them said, “What is the matter with the people?” They replied, “Revelation has been sent down to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.” He said: “So we hurried out and found the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,”] (4) standing upon his mount near Kura al-Ghamim. When the people gathered around him, he recited: “Indeed, We have granted you a clear victory.” Umar said, “Is it truly a victory, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Yes, by Him in Whose hand is my soul.” (5)

This demonstrates that the victory intended was the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah, while the vision was fulfilled in the following year. Thus He, exalted is His mention, said: “Allah has certainly fulfilled His Messenger’s true vision.” He informed them that the vision He had shown him when he set out for al-Hudaybiyyah—that he and his Companions would enter the Sacred Mosque—was true and real.