A Rejoinder To “The Only Thing More Dangerous Than an Idea Is a Belief”

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 25 October 2024 Surah Ar-Room (The Romans) in the Quran contains a remarkable prophecy that has fascinated scholars and historians alike for centuries. The verses, revealed near the time of the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Medina (Hijra) in 622 CE, predicted an unlikely turn of events: that the Byzantine (Roman) Empire, which had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Sassanid Persians, would soon emerge victorious. In light of the overwhelming odds against the Romans at that time, this prediction seemed almost impossible. However, within a few years, history would confirm the fulfillment of this bold Quranic prophecy. The Quranic Prophecy The relevant verses from Surah Ar-Room state: "The Roman Empire has been defeated in a land close by; but they, (even) after this defeat, will soon be victorious. Within a few years. With Allah is the Decision, in the past and in the Future: on that Day shall the Believers rejoice." (Quran 30:2-4) These verses predicted that despite the heavy losses suffered by the Byzantine Empire, they would regain victory over their Persian enemies "within a few years." For Prophet Muhammad (SAS) to make such a prediction, especially at a time when the Byzantines appeared to be on the brink of total collapse, was not only bold but also a significant risk. Had the prophecy not been fulfilled, it would have cast doubt on his credibility as a prophet and the divine nature of the Quran. The Historical Context: Byzantine Defeat and Persian Ascendancy The early 7th century was a period of intense conflict between the two superpowers of the time: the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire and the Sassanid Persian Empire. In 602 CE, Khosrow II, the King of Persia, launched an aggressive campaign against the Byzantines. Over the next two decades, the Persians achieved a series of devastating victories: • 611-614 CE: The Persians overran Syria and Palestine, culminating in the capture of Jerusalem in 614 CE. This conquest dealt a severe blow to the Christian Byzantine Empire, particularly because the Persians seized the True Cross, a revered Christian relic. • 616-619 CE: The Persian advance continued, leading to the conquest of Egypt, one of the wealthiest and most vital provinces of the Byzantine Empire. By 619, the Persians had control of almost all the Byzantine territories in the Near East. • 620 CE: The Persians had even reached the shores of the Bosporus, threatening Constantinople itself. The Byzantine Emperor Heraclius was left with a shattered empire, exhausted resources, and the looming threat of total collapse. Given these circumstances, the Byzantine Empire's defeat seemed inevitable. It was at this very moment, when the Roman world was crumbling, that the Quran predicted their unexpected resurgence. The Turning Point: Heraclius’ Counteroffensive While the situation seemed hopeless for the Byzantines, Emperor Heraclius embarked on a remarkable military and economic reorganization. Beginning in 622 CE—the same year as the Hijra—Heraclius launched a daring counteroffensive. 1. 622-624 CE: Heraclius gathered his forces and launched attacks against Persian-held territories in Armenia and Anatolia. His military campaigns, though risky, began to weaken the Persian grip. 2. 624-627 CE: In a series of increasingly successful campaigns, Heraclius led the Byzantine army deeper into Persian territory, inflicting heavy defeats on the Persians. 3. The Battle of Nineveh (627 CE): This was the decisive turning point. Heraclius led his troops in a surprise winter campaign against the Persian heartland. In December 627 CE, he achieved a resounding victory over the Persian forces at the Battle of Nineveh. The Persians were forced to retreat, and their empire descended into chaos, culminating in the overthrow of Khosrow II. By 628 CE, a peace treaty was signed, restoring much of the lost Byzantine territory. The Romans had achieved an incredible victory, precisely as the Quran had predicted. The Risk of the Prophecy At the time the prophecy was revealed, around 615-620 CE, a Roman victory seemed almost impossible. The Byzantine Empire was in a state of military and economic collapse, with its capital under threat and its most valuable provinces lost. Any reasonable observer of the time would have predicted the complete fall of the Byzantine Empire to the Persians. Given the bleak outlook, the Quranic prediction of Roman victory within "a few years" represented a significant risk. If the Byzantines had not achieved this victory, the prophecy would have been proven false, potentially discrediting the Quran and its messenger. However, the actual course of history confirmed the accuracy of the Quran's prophecy. The Romans not only survived but also mounted one of the most stunning comebacks in military history, fulfilling the Quran's prediction of their victory. The Broader Significance The prophecy of the Byzantine victory over the Persians is not only remarkable for its historical accuracy but also for what it symbolizes in Islamic theology. The verses of Surah Ar-Room emphasize that Allah’s will governs the rise and fall of nations. Empires may rise and fall, but divine decree is above all human calculations. The eventual victory of the Byzantines, when all seemed lost, served as a reminder to the early Muslim community that worldly outcomes are determined by Allah’s wisdom and timing. Conclusion The prophecy in Surah Ar-Room stands as one of the most compelling examples of the Quran’s foreknowledge of historical events. At a time when the Byzantine Empire was facing total destruction, the Quran confidently predicted their resurgence and ultimate victory over the Persians. This bold prediction, made when the possibility of such an outcome seemed remote, was fulfilled within the prophesied timeframe, adding yet another layer of credibility to the Quran’s divine origins. History confirms the Quran’s statement: “With Allah is the Decision, in the past and in the Future: on that Day shall the Believers rejoice.” The Romans’ victory over Persia, against all odds, serves as a testament to the fulfilment of divine promises and a reflection of the Quran’s timeless wisdom. ---- A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation. 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