he intended to go to Mecca, but the polytheists barred his way, and he concluded a peace treaty with them that year at al-Hudaybiyyah (1). The Muslims pledged allegiance to him beneath the tree.
Surah al-Fath was revealed concerning these events. By common agreement, this occurred in the sixth year after the Hijrah. It was on this occasion that Allah’s words were revealed:
“Complete the Hajj and ‘umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then offer whatever sacrificial offering is available.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 196]
The verse prescribing compensation for an ailment was also revealed on this occasion concerning Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah, namely His words (2):
“Then compensate by fasting, charity, or sacrifice.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 196]
When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, returned to Medina, he set out for Khaybar, and Allah granted the Muslims its conquest at the beginning of the seventh year. That year, Abū Hurayrah embraced Islam, and Ja‘far and others who had emigrated to Abyssinia arrived. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, allotted shares of the spoils to none of those present at Khaybar except the people of al-Hudaybiyyah who had pledged allegiance beneath the tree, with the additional exception of those who arrived by ship with Ja‘far. In connection with this, His words were revealed (3):
“Those who stayed behind will say, when you set out to take the spoils, ‘Let us follow you.’ They wish to change Allah’s words. Say, ‘You will not follow us. Allah has already said so.’ Then they will say, ‘Rather, you envy us.’” [Surah al-Fath: 15]
Continuing through to His words:
“You will fight them, or they will submit.” [Surah al-Fath: 16]
After this, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, called the people to march to Mecca in the eighth year after the Hijrah, whereas Khaybar had taken place in the seventh year. Following the conquest, he called them to fight Hawāzin at Hunayn, then besieged al-Tā’if in the eighth year. This was the last campaign in which the Messenger of Allah fought, may Allah bless him