فِىٓ أَدْنَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ 3
Translations
In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome
Transliteration
Fī adnā al-arḍi wa-hum min baʿdi ghalabihin sayaghlebūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the Romans (Byzantines) being defeated in the lowest lands (near the Dead Sea region) by the Persians, yet they will be victorious again in the future—a prophecy fulfilled within 10 years. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this miraculous prediction demonstrates divine knowledge, as the Quran proclaimed Byzantine victory at a time when they were utterly defeated, which later came to pass historically around 622 CE when the Romans reconquered Persian-held territories.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during a period when the pagan Quraysh mocked the Muslims. The historical context involves the Byzantine-Persian wars (602-628 CE), where Byzantium suffered severe defeats. This ayah's accurate prophecy served as a sign of prophethood and provided hope to early Muslims during persecution, demonstrating that just as the Romans would be restored after defeat, the Muslims would ultimately prevail.
Related Hadiths
While no specific hadith directly comments on this verse, the theme of divine promise and ultimate victory for believers is reinforced in Hadith Qudsi: 'My mercy precedes My wrath' (Sahih Muslim 2751). Additionally, the historical fulfillment is documented in Islamic and Byzantine historical records by scholars like Al-Tabari.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that apparent defeat and hardship are not permanent, and that Allah's promises will be fulfilled according to His divine timeline. It encourages patience and faith during trials, reminding us that history follows divine patterns where the righteous ultimately prevail.
Related Ayahs
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
أَمْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَـٰنًا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يُشْرِكُونَ
Or have We sent down to them an authority [i.e., a proof or scripture], and it speaks of what they have been associating with Him?
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ رَزَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَفْعَلُ مِن ذَٰلِكُم مِّن شَىْءٍ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Allāh is the one who created you, then provided for you, then will cause you to die, and then will give you life. Are there any of your "partners" who does anything of that? Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ وَٱلْإِيمَـٰنَ لَقَدْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْبَعْثِ ۖ فَهَـٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْبَعْثِ وَلَـٰكِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
But those who were given knowledge and faith will say, "You remained the extent of Allāh's decree until the Day of Resurrection, and this is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not used to know."