War Between the Roman and Persian Empires and the Prophecy of the Holy Prophet (sa) — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 1

Introduction

In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding War Between the Roman and Persian Empires and the Prophecy of the Holy Prophet (sa).

Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: VIII-Expansion of Preaching
Pages: Book pp. 291–293 (PDF pp. 315–317)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Does Islamic Worship Overly Stress Upon Apparent Figure and Form?] | Next: [Preaching Islam to the Tribes of Arabia] »

Historical Account

be war and conflict. Even in the era we are alluding to now, both these empires were at war. Persia had gained dominance over Rome and had seized many of its valuable regions. As such, Persia would continue dominating Rome. Since the Quraish were idol worshippers and the religion of Persia was also quite similar, for this reason, the Quriash were very pleased with Persia’s victories. However, the Muslim sentiments were with Rome, which was Christian. On account of their being Christian, they were also Ahl-e-Kitāb and due to their relation to the Messiah, were closer to the Muslims than were the idolatrous and fire-worshipping nations. In such circumstances, after receiving knowledge from Allāh the Exalted, the Holy Prophetsa prophesized that although currently, Rome is being dominated by Persia, in a few years time, it shall defeat Persia, and on that day the believers shall rejoice. Upon hearing this prophecy, the Muslims, among whom the name of Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra has been recorded in particular, began to openly announce in Makkah that our God has told us that Rome shall soon defeat Persia. The Quraish responded that if this is true, then come and let us place a wager on it. Until that time, since wagers had not yet been prohibited in Islām, Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra accepted. Terms were set between Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra and the chieftains of the Quraish on a few camels and an appointed time of six years. However, when the Holy Prophetsa received news of this, he said:

[Chambers’ Encyclopedia, Under the name ‘Heraclius’, p. 321, Vol. 5, Edition (1872)]

[Ar-Rūm (30:3-5)]

“To appoint a time of six years is wrong. Allāh the Exalted has used the words

َ بِضْ عِ سِ نِیْنwith regards to the appointed time, which, in the spirit of Arabic idiom, is used to denote a time period of three to nine years.”

This instance is during the era in which the Holy Prophetsa still resided in Makkah and had not yet migrated. After this, within the appointed time frame, the war took a turn, and within a short time-frame, Rome defeated Persia and reacquired the entirety of its land. This took place after the migration. Sir William Muir has mentioned this occurrence in his book as follows:

[Sunan At-Tirmidhī, Kitābut-Tafsīr, Bābu Wa min Sūratir-Rūm, Ḥadīth No. 3193 * Tārīkhul-Khamīs, By Ḥusain bin Muḥammad bin Ḥasan Dayār Bakrī, Volume 1, p. 406, Dhikrul- Usārā bi-Badrin, Muwassasatu Sha‘bān, Beirut * Chambers’ Encyclopedia, Under the name ‘Heraclius’, p. 321, Vol. 5, Edition (1872) * Chambers’ Encyclopedia, Under ‘Byzantine Empire’, p. 470, Vol. 2, Edition (1872)]

“It was while the career of Persian conquest was yet unchecked, that Mahomet,

in the 30th Sūra, uttered this sagacious augury:-

The GREEKS have been smitten

In the neighboring coasts;

But, after their defeat, they shall again be

victorious,

And, in that day, the Believers shall rejoice

In the aid of GOD.

He aideth whom He chooseth; the GLORIOUS, the

MERCIFUL

It is the promise of GOD, who changeth not His

promise; but the Greater part of mankind know it

not And the prophecy, as we have seen, was justified by the event.”

[Life of ‘Mahomet’, By Sir William Muir, pp. 122-123, Reprint of the 1894 Ed., Published by Voice of India New Delhi]

Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Section: VIII-Expansion of Preaching | Navigation: « Previous: [Does Islamic Worship Overly Stress Upon Apparent Figure and Form?] | Next: [Preaching Islam to the Tribes of Arabia] »