11. The Pledge of Ridwan and Divine Satisfaction

Among the most significant events preceding the revelation of Surah Al-Fath was the Pledge of Ridwan that occurred at Hudaybiyah. This momentous pledge represents a pinnacle of faith that Allah (swt) immortalized in the Quran through verses expressing divine pleasure with the believers who participated.

Allah (swt) honors those who made this pledge in verse 18:

This event occurred when the Muslims, numbering approximately 1,400-1,500, accompanied the Prophet (peace be upon him) to perform Umrah. After rumors circulated that Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), who had been sent as an envoy to negotiate with the Quraysh, had been killed, the Muslim community gathered under a tree. There, they pledged their allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him), committing themselves to fight until death rather than retreat.

This pledge became known as "Bay'at al-Ridwan" (the Pledge of Pleasure) because Allah expressed His pleasure with those who participated. The divine pleasure mentioned in this verse represents one of the highest spiritual honors bestowed upon the Companions, confirming their sincerity and dedication to the cause of Islam.

The verse continues with an explanation of what followed this demonstration of faith:

Allah (swt) knew the sincerity in their hearts as they prepared to sacrifice their lives. In response, He bestowed upon them three distinct blessings:

1. Sakinah (tranquility): A divine calmness descended upon their hearts, strengthening their resolve and removing fear.

2. Knowledge of their hearts: This phrase emphasizes that Allah's pleasure with them was not based merely on their outward pledge but on His knowledge of their genuine inner sincerity.

3. Promise of an imminent victory: The "near victory" mentioned here refers to the eventual conquest of Khaybar that occurred shortly after Hudaybiyah, which brought significant war spoils to the Muslims.

In verse 19, Allah (swt) elaborates on additional rewards:

This verse promised abundant war spoils that would come to the believers, which indeed manifested following the treaty of Hudaybiyah. The strategic peace secured through this treaty allowed Muslims to focus on other campaigns, including Khaybar, resulting in significant material gains.

The pledge of Ridwan represents a pivotal moment where the believers demonstrated their unwavering commitment to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him). Their willingness to sacrifice everything earned them Allah's explicit pleasure, a distinction that marks them among the most honored generations. Those who participated in this pledge hold a special status in Islamic history, as they received direct divine testimony of Allah's satisfaction with their faith and actions.