Tafsir of Al-Fath 48:28

Al-Fath: 28

“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance,” meaning, in a state of being clothed with it, on the premise that the ba denotes accompaniment (mulabasa). The prepositional phrase occupies the place of a circumstantial qualifier (hal) for the object, and his being clothed with guidance means he is a guide. It is said: it means accompanying guidance, and what is intended is the clear evidence, the radiant proof, or the Quran. It is also permissible that the ba be for causality or rationalization—both of which are close in meaning—with the prepositional phrase attached to “sent,” meaning He sent him because of guidance or for its sake.

“And the religion of truth,” meaning the religion of Islam. The apparent meaning is that it encompasses both the fundamentals (usul) and the branches (furu). It is permissible that “guidance” refers to the fundamentals and “the religion of truth” refers to the branches, for among the messengers, peace be upon them, were those who were not sent with the branches, but were only sent with the fundamentals. Their distinctiveness is known. The apparent meaning is that “truth” (al-haqq) is the opposite of falsehood (al-batil). It is also permissible that it be intended as one of the names of Allah the Exalted—that is, the religion of Allah, the Truth. The Imam permitted other interpretations as well.

“To manifest it over all religion,” to elevate it above the genus of religion in all its particulars—that is, whatever laws and sects are practiced as religion; thus, it includes both truth and falsehood. The root of izhar (manifestation) is placing something upon the back (zahr), which is used metonymically for elevation and for making something visible to the observer. It then became widespread in that usage until it became a customary truth (haqiqa ‘urfiyya). Its manifestation over the truth is through the abrogation of some of its rulings, which change with the passing of eras, and over falsehood by demonstrating its invalidity.

Many have suggested—and perhaps this is the most apparent in light of the context—that its manifestation over religion is through empowering the Muslims over all the adherents of other religions. They stated: "There is no group of people of any religion who fought the Muslims without the Muslims eventually overcoming them." It suffices for this that what has been mentioned continued for a considerable time, as is not hidden to those well-versed in books of history and events.

It is said: The perfection of this elevation will be upon the descent of Jesus, peace be upon him, and the emergence of the Mahdi, may Allah the Exalted be pleased with him, at which point no religion will remain except Islam. The occurrence of differences after that does not invalidate this, either due to the reasons previously heard, or because what remains of this world at that time is negligible. In sum, it is a further confirmation of what Allah the Exalted has promised of victory, and a preparation for the souls of the believers, indicating that He will open lands for them and facilitate for them such mastery over the regions that they will consider the conquest of Mecca insignificant by comparison.

“And sufficient is Allah as a Witness” over what He, the Almighty and Majestic, has promised of manifesting His religion over all religions, or that the conquest is inevitable. Or, “sufficient is Allah as a Witness” to his Prophethood, may Allah bless him and grant him peace; because he, peace and blessings be upon him, claimed it, and Allah the Exalted manifested the miracle at his hand, and that is a testimony from Him, the Exalted, regarding it. Al-Razi limited himself to this perspective and considered it a consolation for what occurred from Suhayl ibn Amr when he was not satisfied with the writing of “Muhammad the Messenger of Allah” and said what he said.

Some scholars have considered the manifestation of the miracle to be a testimony from Him, the Exalted, to the realization of His promise, the Almighty and Majestic; and it does not manifest except by coupling it with his, peace and blessings be upon him, informing of it.