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
وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ
And to Him is [due all] praise throughout the heavens and the earth. And [exalted is He] at night and when you are at noon.
فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ ٱلْقَيِّمِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصَّدَّعُونَ
So direct your face [i.e., self] toward the correct religion before a Day comes from Allāh of which there is no repelling. That Day, they will be divided.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Do they not see that Allāh extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَأَثَارُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَعَمَرُوهَآ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا عَمَرُوهَا وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ ۖ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَـٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
Have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed [or excavated] the earth and built it up more than they [i.e., the Makkans] have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidences. And Allāh would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves.