Indeed, those who pledged to you, indeed, they were pledging to Allah, the hand of Allah was above their hands, then whoever violates, then indeed, he is violating against his own soul, and whoever is fulfilling the covenant made with Allah, then He will reward him.
Messenger and companions who set out to Mecca in the sixth year of Hijra to perform ‘Umra’ took rest at ‘Hudaibiya’, which is 20 Kilo Meters near Mecca, and sent Usman to Mecca to know the condition and response of the Meccan pagans. But there spread a rumor that Meccan pagans captured Usman or even killed him. Then, as told in the verse 18 of this Surah, from under a tree there every companion took pledge to Messenger Muhammed putting their hands upon Messenger’s hand that they are ready for anything in the way of Allah including martyrdom. The pledge they did so witnessing Allah is mentioned here. In the verses 7: 172-173, the covenant made by every mankind with Allah from the Paradise is reminded. Every pledge is reminding about the covenant made with Allah from the Paradise, and are submitting that ‘I am none, and I have nothing’. See explanation 2: 27-28; 9: 11-112; 16: 91-92.