What The Qur'an Teaches: Defeat Of A Great Power
Islamic Perspectives - Muslim
Journals
Arab News & Information - By Adil Salahi
In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever
Merciful
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)
These opening verses of this surah were revealed when
Persia overpowered the Byzantine Empire in the Arab
areas that were under its rule. This was also a time
when arguments in Makkah raged between the early
Muslims and Arab idolaters. Since the Byzantines at
that time were Christians, and the Persians were
Magians, the unbelievers in Makkah exploited the
event, drumming up the victory of polytheism over
monotheism, and seeing in this Persian victory an omen
for their own victory over the believers.
Therefore, the opening of this surah heralds a victory
for the people of the Scriptures, the Byzantines,
within a few years. It says that this victory will
bring much rejoicing to the believers for they love
for believers of any divine religion to gain the upper
hand.
The Qur'an does not, however, stop at making this
promise, nor does it confine itself to the event
mentioned. In fact, it uses the event to show the
believers and their opponents wider horizons; In
essence, it establishes a link between them and the
universe. It also relates God's rule to support divine
faith to the great truth that regulates the heavens,
the earth and all that is between them, as well as to
the past, present and future of humanity. It then
moves on to the life to come and the world beyond this
earth. Indeed, the Qur'an takes us on a great round in
which we see the marvels of the universe, the human
soul, people's situations and the wonders of nature.
We are, thus, able to look at the wider horizons of
knowledge, for our lives have been elevated and
broadened. Furthermore, we are released from the
strict confines of time, place and event, and are able
to look at the universe, its operative rules, history,
present and future.
Thus, people's concept of the true nature of the bonds
and relations in this great universe is set on a
higher platform. They begin to feel the real greatness
of the laws that govern the universe and human nature,
and appreciate those that regulate human life and its
events. In this way, positions of victory and defeat
are defined, and fair measures to judge people's
actions and activities in this life are set, so as to
give them just reward both in the present life and in
the life to come.
In the light of this broad concept, the universality
of the Islamic message is clearly shown. Its
interaction with events and world situations, even
when it is still in its infancy and confined to Makkah
and the surrounding valley, appears to be very
positive. Its scope is broadened beyond this earth so
as to link it to the nature of the universe and its
major rules, human nature and its profound depths, as
well as to the past and present of human life both in
this world and in the world beyond.
Thus, a Muslim's heart and mind are linked to these
horizons, so as to influence his feelings and the way
he looks at life and values generally. He looks up to
heaven and the life to come and contemplates the
wonders and marvels of the universe. He appreciates
his own position, and that of his community, in this
great expanse. He realizes his own value and the value
of his faith both in people's and God's measures. He
thus fulfils his role and does his duties with a clear
mind and with confidence and reassurance.
In the method it follows in outlining these links and
their significances in the overall system of the
universe, as well as their effects on people's hearts,
the surah may be thought of as consisting of two
interlinked sections. In the first, it establishes a
link between the victory granted to the believers and
the truth that provides the firm basis on which the
universe is established and with which this life as
well as the next are closely associated. It directs
people's attention to God's laws as they applied to
earlier communities and generations, and in this
context makes use of an analogy about resurrection.
Here the surah depicts a scene from the Day of
Judgment and what happens then to believers and
unbelievers. This is followed with further scenes of
the universe and the signs God has placed in it,
highlighting the effects these scenes have on people's
hearts. The surah then gives an example drawn from
themselves and their relations with their slaves to
show the stupidity of the idea of multiple deities,
proving that it is based on whims and desires that are
devoid of truth and knowledge. This section concludes
with a directive to the Prophet to follow the clear
path of truth, which is the path of an upright nature
that neither alters to suit desires nor divides into
sects or divergent groups.
In the second section the surah depicts the fickleness
of people's cares and interests and how these are
unsuitable as a basis for building human life. What
people should look to instead is a constant measure
that does not bend to suit nefarious interests. It
describes such people when they enjoy God's mercy and
when they are afflicted by hardship, as well as in
situations of affluence and poverty. It moves on to
speak of how provisions should be used and increased.
It then discusses the question of God's alleged
partners from this angle, showing how such alleged
deities can never provide sustenance, initiate or
terminate life. It links the spread of corruption on
land and sea with what people do, and directs them to
go about the earth reflecting on the ends met by past
communities of unbelievers who associated partners
with God. It then directs the Prophet to follow the
religion of pure human nature before a day comes when
everyone will be rewarded for what they do. Like it
did in the first section, the surah then provides some
scenes of the universe, commenting that true guidance
is that given by God, while the Prophet's task is only
to deliver his message. It is not in his power to make
the blind see or the deaf hear. The surah then takes
us on a new round within the human constitution,
reminding us of the stages of man's development from
beginning to end, starting with utter weakness in
childhood, before it mentions death, resurrection and
judgment, giving us a new scene of that day. This
section and the surah itself conclude with a directive
to the Prophet to remain patient in adversity and to
bear whatever difficulties he meets. He should always
remain confident that God's promise will be fulfilled.
Hence, he must not let himself be disturbed by those
who lack faith.
Both the ambience of the surah and its general flow
contribute to its main theme, namely the close
relation between people's situations and life's
events; the past, present and future in human life and
universal laws. This shows that every little action,
event, growth, consequence, setback and victory are
all closely linked, and subject to an accurate law. In
all these, the final decision rests with God: "All
power of decision belongs to God before and after."
(Verse 4) This truth is confirmed time after time in
the Qur'an, because it is the basic truth in the
Islamic faith which gives rise to all concepts, values
and standards.
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