Alif. Lam. Mim. Defeated have been the Byzantines in the lands close-by; yet despite their defeat, they will gain victory within a few years. All power of decision belongs to God before and after. And on that day the believers will rejoice in God’s support. He grants support to whomever He wills. He alone is Almighty, Merciful.
(The Byzantines, Al-Roum: 30: 1-5)
The surah begins with three separate letters. In our opinion, that a number of surahs so commence served to alert people to the fact that the Qur’an is composed of letters they knew well, being the letters of their own alphabet and the sounds of their own language. Yet they cannot produce anything like the Qur’an. Indeed, it continues to challenge and defy them, and still they cannot match it.
These letters are followed by a true prophecy that the Byzantines would regain victory against the Persians within a few years. Al-Tabari reports on Abdullah ibn Masud’s authority: “The Persians won victory against the Byzantines. The Arab idolaters liked that the Persians should win, while the Muslims preferred that the Byzantines should be victorious because they were followers of a monotheistic faith, which was closer to their own beliefs. When the opening of this surah was revealed, some idolaters said to Abu Bakr: ‘Your friend says that the Byzantines will score a victory against the Persian Empire within a few years.’ He replied: ‘He tells the truth.’ They said: ‘Will you be prepared to bet on that?’ He made a bet with them wagering four young camels that this victory would take place within seven years. But seven years passed and nothing took place. The idolaters were delighted and the Muslims felt this hard. They mentioned it to the Prophet and he asked them: ‘How do you define the phrase ‘within a few years’ in your language?’ They said: ‘Less than ten.’ He said to Abu Bakr: ‘Go and increase the bet and extend the duration by two years.’ The two years were not out before travelers brought the news that the Byzantines had scored a great victory against the Persians. The believers were delighted.”
We do not need to go into other reports that speak about this event, but we will now look at some of the effects of this historical event.
The first thing to note is the mutual support between different groups of unbelievers, in all generations and areas, against the message based on God’s oneness. States did not have close contacts in former times as they do now. Nevertheless, those Makkan idolaters felt that a victory achieved by a community of unbelievers like them against the followers of divine scripture was akin to their own victory. On the other hand, the Muslims felt that there was a bond between them and the followers of the scriptures. They were grieved that polytheists anywhere should succeed. Muslims felt that their faith and prospects were not separated from what took place elsewhere in the world. For all events have a bearing on the great issue of faith or unfaith.
Many are those in our time who overlook this fact of which both Muslims and non-Muslims were cognizant 14 centuries ago, during the Prophet’s lifetime. Hence such people limit themselves within their own geographical or national boundaries, oblivious of the fact that the true issue is that of faith, and that the real battle is between Satan’s party and the believers. Muslims today badly need to form a proper understanding of the nature of that battle so that they are not deceived by the false banners raised by unbelievers. These do not fight against Muslims for anything other than their faith, numerous as the pretexts and causes are that they advance.
We also note the Muslim’s absolute confidence in the fulfillment of God’s promise, as is clearly apparent in Abu Bakr’s unhesitating attitude. The unbelievers try to create doubt in his mind pointing out what the surah says about the Byzantines’ future victory, but he maintains that it is the truth. They ask him whether he is prepared to bet on this and he does so unhesitatingly. Then the promise is fulfilled within the time specified, i.e. “within a few years”. This absolute confidence was a great asset for the early Muslims, strengthening and supporting them as they faced all manner of obstacles and endured persecution until God’s promise to them was fulfilled. Such confidence is indispensable for every advocate of faith embarking on the long struggle for his faith.
It is also noteworthy that the opening verses giving information of future events include an interpolated sentence: “All power of decision belongs to God before and after.” (Verse 4) This statement refers all matters, in all situations, to God. It is a maxim that applies to all events: Victory and defeat, and the rise and fall of states and empires. Indeed all that takes place anywhere in the universe is determined by God, and fulfills His purpose in accordance with His wisdom. Events and changing situations are only aspects of the operation of God’s unrestricted will that is not subject to influence by anything or anyone. It is God alone who knows what lies beyond it and how it operates. Hence, the best that we can do is unhesitatingly submit to God’s will.