until he drove him into the enclosures of Mecca. Then he returned for the second time and drove him into the enclosures of Mecca. Then he returned for the third time and defeated him, driving him into the enclosures of Mecca. So Allah revealed: "And it is He who withheld their hands from you," the verse. He said: Allah withheld the Prophet from them after He had granted him victory over them, because of the remnants of the believers who remained therein, fearing that the horses would trample them.(1)

His saying, the Almighty: "And bound them to the word of righteousness."

18598 - From al-Ajlah he said: Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib was a man of beautiful hair, good appearance, and a hunter. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) passed by Abu Jahl, and he provoked and harmed him. Hamzah returned from hunting with two women walking behind him. One of them said: "If he knew what was done to his brother's son, he would have shortened his walk." He turned to them and said: "And what is that?" She said: "Abu Jahl did such and such to Muhammad." Pride and indignation entered him, so he came until he entered the mosque where Abu Jahl was, and he struck his head with his bow, then said: "My religion is the religion of Muhammad. If you are truthful, then prevent me." The Quraish stood up to him and said: "O Abu Ya'la!" So Allah revealed: "When those who disbelieved placed in their hearts pride and haughtiness" to His saying: "And bound them to the word of righteousness." He said: Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib.(2)

18599 - From Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding "And bound them to the word of righteousness," he said: "There is no god but Allah."(3)

18600 - From Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) regarding "And bound them to the word of righteousness," he said: "The testimony that there is no god but Allah, and it is the pinnacle of all righteousness."(4)

18601 - From al-Miswar ibn Makhramah and Marwan ibn al-Hakam regarding "And bound them to the word of righteousness," he said: "There is no god but Allah, alone, no partner has He."(5)

His saying, the Almighty: "Their mark is upon their faces."

18602 - From Ibn Abbas regarding His saying: "Their mark is upon their faces," he said: "The outward appearance of goodness."(6)

His saying, the Almighty: "Like a seed that produces its shoot."

18603 - From Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding "Like a seed that produces its shoot," he said: "Its growth, its offshoots."