and fought. They are greater in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards. Yet Allah has promised the finest reward to all.”

The “victory” here means the victory of al-Hudaybiyah, when the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—received his Companions’ pledge beneath the tree. Those who pledged allegiance to him numbered more than 1,400, and they were the ones who conquered Khaybar. It is established in the Sahīh that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“No one who pledged allegiance beneath the tree will enter the Fire.”

Allah revealed Sūrat al-Fath, which mentions this, before Mecca was conquered—indeed, before the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—performed ‘umrah. He had received his Companions’ pledge beneath the tree in the year of al-Hudaybiyah, in 6 AH, and concluded the well-known Treaty of al-Hudaybiyah with the polytheists. Through that treaty, victories were achieved whose extent Allah alone knows, although many Muslims had disliked it and had not understood its favourable outcome. Sahl ibn Hunayf even said:

“O people, distrust your own judgment! I remember how I was on the day of Abū Jandal: had I been able to reject the decision of Allah’s Messenger—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—I would have done so.”

This was narrated by al-Bukhārī and others. The following year, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—performed ‘umrah. He and those accompanying him entered Mecca to perform it, while the people of Mecca were still on the side of the polytheists. Then, in 8 AH, he conquered Mecca during the month of Ramadan.

Allah had revealed in Sūrat al-Fath:

“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 you a near victory before that.”

Thus, in Sūrat al-Fath, He promised them that they would enter Mecca in safety, and He fulfilled His promise in