Surah Al-Fath 48:4
سُورَةُ الفَتۡحِ · Medinan · Verse 4 of 29
هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِيمَٰنًۭا مَّعَ إِيمَٰنِهِمْ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا
Translation
It was He who made His tranquillity descend into the hearts of the believers, to add faith to their faith––the forces of the heavens and earth belong to God; He is all knowing and all wise––
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wisdom
This beautiful verse from Surah Al-Fath invites us to reflect on the nature of inner peace and the growth of faith. Allah, the All-Knowing and All-Wise, reveals His profound way of nurturing the hearts of believers.
The Gift of Tranquility (السكينة)
Allah tells us that "He it is Who sent down *As-Sakinah* into the hearts of the believers." *As-Sakinah* (السكينة) means deep tranquility, calmness, and reassurance. As Imam al-Qurtubi explains, it is a state of stillness and inner peace. This was a profound gift to the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, especially during the challenging moments of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah. During that time, the circumstances seemed difficult and potentially humiliating, but Allah strengthened their hearts. As al-Saadi notes, Allah's grace kept them firm and serene amidst unsettling trials and hard situations that would normally agitate hearts and weaken souls. This means that even when outer circumstances are turbulent, Allah can bestow an inner calm that allows us to face difficulties with a steady heart.
Growing in Faith (ليزدادوا إيمانا)
The purpose of this *sakinah* was "that they might add faith to their faith." This shows us that faith (*iman*) is not static; it grows and deepens. Mufti Shafi's *Ma'arif al-Quran* highlights that the bounties given to the companions at Hudaibiyah were a result of their complete faith and obedience, and all believers with similar dedication can receive comparable grace. When believers endure hardship with patience and trust, their conviction in Allah strengthens. Al-Qurtubi mentions Ibn Abbas's explanation that as new obligations were revealed (like prayer, zakat, fasting, and Hajj), the companions' acceptance and fulfillment of them increased their faith. Similarly, in our lives, every challenge we overcome by holding onto Allah, every act of obedience we perform, and every moment of inner peace He grants us, contributes to a deeper, more robust faith within our hearts.
Allah's Unseen Armies (ولله جنود السماوات والأرض)
The verse concludes with a powerful reminder: "And to Allah belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise." This phrase, repeated in the Surah, underscores Allah's absolute power and control over all creation. As al-Qurtubi and al-Munir elaborate, His "armies" (جنود) are limitless, encompassing angels, jinn, humans, and even cosmic forces like earthquakes or storms. This reassures us that Allah does not need our help to achieve His will; He is perfectly capable of supporting His believers and enacting His plans. He is *Alim* (All-Knowing) of all affairs, and *Hakeem* (All-Wise) in His every decree, meaning His plans are always perfect, even if we don't understand them immediately. This encourages us to trust that in every situation, no matter how daunting, Allah has countless ways to bring about good, and His wisdom guides all outcomes.
This ayah is a profound lesson in reliance on Allah for inner peace and a reminder that our faith is a living thing, meant to grow through challenges and divine support. When we seek *sakinah*, we are asking for strength to deepen our connection with our Creator.
Sources: al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Fath 48:4 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Fath 48:4 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.