Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakatuh. We wish from you the explanation of: "I was granted victory by fear from a month's distance..." Barak Allaahu Feekum.

In the name of Allaah, the Benevolent, the Merciful. All praise is due to Allaah, and peace and blessings be upon the messenger of Allaah, his family, companions, and those loyal to him. The meaning of this statement is that Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, had cast fear into the hearts of the disbelievers when they faced the Muslims. The Muslims had always been in the position of the defenders of truth, whereas the disbelievers were always in the position of transgression, enmity, tyranny, and injustice. Therefore, this fear was of the decreed factors by which Allaah paved the way for the victory of His prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. This phrase had appeared in the Qur'an three times: Once after the defeat of the Muslims at Uhud, Allaah sent down this verse: "We will cast horror into the hearts of those that disbelieved due to what they associated with Allaah of which they had no authority - and their abode is Hell-Fire, and how awful a destination." [Surat Aali Imraan: 151] The defeat of Uhud was proceeding the marching of the pagans from Makkah, and their unleashing an attack on Islam and its nation in Madeenah, and the pagans were able to cause great losses to the defenders of the religion and its new home - which left ill-feeling in their hearts. Hence, Allaah sought to console their injuries and have them realize that the following battle will be in their favor, and that He will cast fear into the hearts of the enemies when they repeat their attack. The second time is when the Jews of Banu Nadeer betrayed their contract and attempted to kill the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Upon that, a campaign was set against them to discipline them, but the people, without combat, were overcome by fear, and decided to depart from Madeenah. "You did not think they would leave, and they thought their fortresses would protect them from Allaah; but (the decree of) Allaah came upon them from where they had not expected, and He cast terror into their hearts (so) they destroyed their houses by their (own) hands and the hands of the believers. So take warning, Oh people of vision." [Surat Al-Hashr, 2] Finally, this word was mentioned when the Jews of Banu Quraydhah confederated with the groups that had surrounded Madeenah seeking to demolish it upon those in it, and announced a great siege on it. Banu Quraydhah had given a treaty beforehand that they would live with the Muslims in honorable peace, and their leader admitted that he never experienced from the prophet except good. Despite that, they seized the opportunity that arose and the treacherous war was declared. They thought they would split with the pagans the spoils amongst themselves after finishing off on Muhammad and his companions. But the decree of Allaah overwhelmed, and Allaah caused the unified confederacy to disperse, "And He brought down those who supported them from the People of the Book from their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts (so that) a party (i.e. their men) you killed, and you took captive a party (i.e. the women and children)." [Surat Al-Ahzaab, 26] And Allaah, the Most High, knows best.