(27-28) “Allah has certainly fulfilled His Messenger’s vision in truth: You will surely enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved or your hair shortened, without fear. He knew what you did not know and granted, before that, a victory near at hand. * It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, so that He might make it prevail over every other religion. And Allah is sufficient as a Witness.”

Allah Most High says: “Allah has certainly fulfilled His Messenger’s vision in truth.” The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—had a vision in Medina and told his Companions that they would enter Mecca and circumambulate the House. When the events of the Day of al-Hudaybiyya unfolded and they returned without entering Mecca, they spoke a great deal about it. They even said to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—“Did you not tell us that we would come to the House and circumambulate it?” He replied, “Did I tell you that it would be this year?” They said, “No.” He said, “You will indeed come to it and circumambulate it.” Allah therefore says here: “Allah has certainly fulfilled His Messenger’s vision in truth.” That is, it would inevitably come to pass and prove true; the delay in its fulfillment did not detract from its truth.

“You will surely enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved or your hair shortened.” That is, you will enter in this state, which entails honoring the Sacred House, performing your rites, completing them by shaving or shortening your hair, and being free from fear. “He knew” of the benefits and advantages “what you did not know and granted, before that”—before your entrance in that manner—“a victory near at hand.”

Because this event troubled the hearts of some believers and its wisdom was hidden from them, Allah Most High explained its wisdom and benefit. The same applies to all His revealed rulings: they are entirely guidance and mercy.

He then stated a general principle: “It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance,” namely, beneficial knowledge that guides people away from error and makes clear the paths of good and evil.

“And the religion of truth,” meaning the religion characterized by truth, which consists of justice, excellence, and mercy. It encompasses every righteous deed that purifies hearts, cleanses souls, cultivates character, and elevates people’s standing.

“So that He might make it prevail”—that is, what Allah sent him with—“over every other religion,” through proof and evidence, thereby leading to their subjugation by sword and spear.