Qur’anic Prophecies: Evidence of Divine Revelation
It is the eternal practice of Allāh Almighty that when He sends a Prophet and reveals His divine word to him, He includes within that word prophecies of future events to establish the truth of the message before the people. Although astrologers also make predictions, theirs lack certainty and absolute accuracy. History attests that no astrologer has ever claimed that all of his predictions proved true without any error.
Allāh’s Sunnah also dictates that the prophecies of false claimants of prophethood never come to fruition. The Holy Qur’ān contains numerous prophecies that have been fulfilled word for word, acknowledged even by the staunchest opponents of Islam. While it is not possible to present all of these prophecies here, a few important examples are highlighted below.
The Byzantine Victory: A Surprising Prophecy
During the time of the Prophet ﷺ, a fierce war raged between the Romans and the Persians. The Persian army had decisively defeated the Romans, and the Roman Empire seemed to be on the verge of collapse. The polytheists of Makkah viewed the Persians’ victory as a personal triumph, as the Persians were fire-worshippers, while the Romans were People of the Book.
In such a dire context, the opening verses of Sūrah al-Rūm were revealed:
"الم ﴿۱ غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ ﴿۲ فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّن بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ ﴿۳ فِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَ لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن بَعْدُ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿۴”
(Sūrah al-Rūm: 1-4)
Translation:
“The Romans have been defeated. In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome within a few years. To Allāh belongs the command before and after. And that day the believers will rejoice in the victory of Allāh.”
At that time, this prophecy seemed impossible to materialize, given the rapid decline of the Roman Empire. The disbelievers of Makkah mocked this prophecy, and Abī ibn Khalaf wagered with Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr (may Allāh be pleased with him) that if the Romans overcame within three years, he would pay ten camels, otherwise Abū Bakr would pay them. The Prophet ﷺ clarified that in Arabic, the word “biḍʿ” means anywhere from three to nine years, and thus the term of the wager was extended to nine years, and the number of camels to one hundred.
Exactly seven years later, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius achieved decisive victories against the Persians. The Muslims received this joyful news alongside their own victory at the Battle of Badr. This prophecy of the Qur’ān became a double cause for celebration.
Reference: The Fall and Decline of the Roman Empire, Vol. 5, pp. 73-74
Prophecy of the Conquest of Makkah
When the Prophet ﷺ left Makkah to migrate due to the persecution of the Quraysh, he longed to return while staying in the Cave of Thawr. At that time, the following verse was revealed:
"إِنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لَرَادُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ”
(Sūrah al-Qaṣaṣ: 85)
Translation:
“Surely, the One Who ordained the Qur’ān for you will bring you back to the place of return.”
From an apparent perspective, this prophecy seemed impossible to be fulfilled. However, a few years later, the Prophet ﷺ entered Makkah as a victorious conqueror, fulfilling yet another miraculous prophecy of the Qur’ān.
The Jews’ Refusal to Wish for Death
The Jews claimed that ultimate success in the Hereafter was exclusively theirs. In response, the Qur’ān issued a challenge:
"قُلْ إِن كَانَتْ لَكُمُ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ عِندَ اللَّهِ خَالِصَةً مِّن دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُا الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ”
(Sūrah al-Baqarah: 94-95)
Translation:
“Say: If the Home of the Hereafter with Allāh is exclusively for you and not for other people, then wish for death if you are truthful. But they will never wish for it, because of what their hands have put forth.”
Although the Jews were known for their disputations and arguments, they fell silent before this challenge. No Jew dared to wish for death or respond to the challenge, which remains an enduring proof of the truth of the Qur’ān and the veracity of divine revelation.
Promise of the Qur’ān’s Preservation
The Qur’ān declares:
"إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ”
(Sūrah al-Ḥijr: 9)
Translation:
“Indeed, We have revealed the Reminder, and indeed, We are its Protector.”
Fourteen centuries have passed, yet not a single word of the Qur’ān has been altered. Unlike previous scriptures, which were subject to distortions and alterations, the Qur’ān remains in its pristine form. Countless individuals have memorized it word for word, standing as a living testament to this divine promise.
Summary
The miraculous fulfillment of the Qur’ān’s prophecies—such as the victory of the Byzantines, the conquest of Makkah, the challenge to the Jews, and the pledge to protect the Qur’ān—are clear and eternal proofs that this is indeed the word of Allāh. The complete and precise realization of these prophecies is beyond the capacity of any human or worldly power.
It is the eternal practice of Allāh Almighty that when He sends a Prophet and reveals His divine word to him, He includes within that word prophecies of future events to establish the truth of the message before the people. Although astrologers also make predictions, theirs lack certainty and absolute accuracy. History attests that no astrologer has ever claimed that all of his predictions proved true without any error.
Allāh’s Sunnah also dictates that the prophecies of false claimants of prophethood never come to fruition. The Holy Qur’ān contains numerous prophecies that have been fulfilled word for word, acknowledged even by the staunchest opponents of Islam. While it is not possible to present all of these prophecies here, a few important examples are highlighted below.
The Byzantine Victory: A Surprising Prophecy
During the time of the Prophet ﷺ, a fierce war raged between the Romans and the Persians. The Persian army had decisively defeated the Romans, and the Roman Empire seemed to be on the verge of collapse. The polytheists of Makkah viewed the Persians’ victory as a personal triumph, as the Persians were fire-worshippers, while the Romans were People of the Book.
In such a dire context, the opening verses of Sūrah al-Rūm were revealed:
"الم ﴿۱ غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ ﴿۲ فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّن بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ ﴿۳ فِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَ لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن بَعْدُ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿۴”
(Sūrah al-Rūm: 1-4)
Translation:
“The Romans have been defeated. In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome within a few years. To Allāh belongs the command before and after. And that day the believers will rejoice in the victory of Allāh.”
At that time, this prophecy seemed impossible to materialize, given the rapid decline of the Roman Empire. The disbelievers of Makkah mocked this prophecy, and Abī ibn Khalaf wagered with Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr (may Allāh be pleased with him) that if the Romans overcame within three years, he would pay ten camels, otherwise Abū Bakr would pay them. The Prophet ﷺ clarified that in Arabic, the word “biḍʿ” means anywhere from three to nine years, and thus the term of the wager was extended to nine years, and the number of camels to one hundred.
Exactly seven years later, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius achieved decisive victories against the Persians. The Muslims received this joyful news alongside their own victory at the Battle of Badr. This prophecy of the Qur’ān became a double cause for celebration.
Reference: The Fall and Decline of the Roman Empire, Vol. 5, pp. 73-74
Prophecy of the Conquest of Makkah
When the Prophet ﷺ left Makkah to migrate due to the persecution of the Quraysh, he longed to return while staying in the Cave of Thawr. At that time, the following verse was revealed:
"إِنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لَرَادُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ”
(Sūrah al-Qaṣaṣ: 85)
Translation:
“Surely, the One Who ordained the Qur’ān for you will bring you back to the place of return.”
From an apparent perspective, this prophecy seemed impossible to be fulfilled. However, a few years later, the Prophet ﷺ entered Makkah as a victorious conqueror, fulfilling yet another miraculous prophecy of the Qur’ān.
The Jews’ Refusal to Wish for Death
The Jews claimed that ultimate success in the Hereafter was exclusively theirs. In response, the Qur’ān issued a challenge:
"قُلْ إِن كَانَتْ لَكُمُ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ عِندَ اللَّهِ خَالِصَةً مِّن دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُا الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ”
(Sūrah al-Baqarah: 94-95)
Translation:
“Say: If the Home of the Hereafter with Allāh is exclusively for you and not for other people, then wish for death if you are truthful. But they will never wish for it, because of what their hands have put forth.”
Although the Jews were known for their disputations and arguments, they fell silent before this challenge. No Jew dared to wish for death or respond to the challenge, which remains an enduring proof of the truth of the Qur’ān and the veracity of divine revelation.
Promise of the Qur’ān’s Preservation
The Qur’ān declares:
"إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ”
(Sūrah al-Ḥijr: 9)
Translation:
“Indeed, We have revealed the Reminder, and indeed, We are its Protector.”
Fourteen centuries have passed, yet not a single word of the Qur’ān has been altered. Unlike previous scriptures, which were subject to distortions and alterations, the Qur’ān remains in its pristine form. Countless individuals have memorized it word for word, standing as a living testament to this divine promise.
Summary
The miraculous fulfillment of the Qur’ān’s prophecies—such as the victory of the Byzantines, the conquest of Makkah, the challenge to the Jews, and the pledge to protect the Qur’ān—are clear and eternal proofs that this is indeed the word of Allāh. The complete and precise realization of these prophecies is beyond the capacity of any human or worldly power.
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