The Quran: Prophesies Fulfilled

1. The Quran: Prophesies Fulfilled http://www.al-islam.org/authenticity-quran-shaykh-muslim-bhanji/predictions-quran Slideshow by Dr. Hashim

2. Discussed in this slideshow: • Prediction fulfilled 7 years Roman Victory • Prediction fulfilled 13 years Walid ibn al-Mughirah: Snout of the beast • Prediction fulfilled Perpetual Muhammad was ridiculed by Quraish • Prediction fulfilled: True Abu Lahab never embraced Islam • Prediction fulfilled 8 years later Enter Mecca • Prediction fulfilled a few monthsKhaybar Conquered • Prediction fulfilled 3 years later Conquer Mecca • Prediction fulfilled 1400 years Penetrating Space

3. Source of Quranic Predictions • The Holy Quran predicted several events with categorical details. • It is unrealistic to attempt to analyze these predictions from a purely materialistic point of view. • The only answer to the precise accuracy is that it was revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) from the Lord and Master of the Universe, Allah (swt). • Please ponder over the following splendid moments of the Quranic predictions:

4. Prediction #1 A prediction of victory by the Romans • The prediction was near impossible in the minds of the Disbelievers in Mecca and around. • It came true within 7 years as the Quran had predicted

5. The relevant verses of Surah al-Room غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَفِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَ ۗ لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَمِنْ بَعْدُ ۚ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِنَصْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ يَنْصُرُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۖ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ اللَّهُ وَعْدَهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ The Romans are vanquished, . In a near land, and they, after being vanquished, shall overcome, Within a few years. With Allah is the Decision, in the past and in the Future: on that Day shall the Believers rejoice- In Allah's help to victory. He helps to victory whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Merciful. It is a promise of Allah. Allah fails not His promise, but most of mankind know not. (30:1-6).

6. Before the Rise of Islam • Before the rise of Islam, the Romans and the Persians were two competing superpowers.  • Romans were led by Heracleus (610–641 AD), a Christian Emperor, • whereas the Persians were Zoroastrians led by Khusru Parviz (reigned 590–628 AD), under whom the empire achieved its greatest expansion. • The Muslims were grieved by the Roman defeat as they felt spiritually closer to the Christians than Zoroastrian Persia, • but the Meccans were naturally buoyed by the victory of pagan Persia.  • To the Meccans, the Roman humiliation was a sinister omen of the defeat of the Muslims at pagan hands. 

7. The Romans and the Persians • In 613-14 AD, Khusru Parviz of Persia attacked Byzantium (Eastern Roman empire) and gained control of Syria, Palestine and North Africa. • He ransacked Jerusalem, set fire to the Holy Sepulcher and destroyed numerous cities. • The war ended in outstanding victory for the Persians. • Victory for the Persians was received with excitement and delight by the pagan Quraish, of Mecca, and others around. • To the Meccans, the Roman humiliation was a sinister omen of the defeat of the Muslims at pagan hands.  • The Muslims were grieved by the Roman defeat as they felt spiritually closer to the Christians than Zoroastrian Persia, • It was then (620AD) that the Quran predicted that within a few years the Byzantine will vanquish the Persians. • See next slide for Quran prediction

8. Victory of the Romans over the Persians • The Quranic verses were revealed around 620, almost 7 years after the Persians had defeated Christian Byzantium. • The loss of Jerusalem in 614 was very traumatic for the Byzantines: • the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was destroyed and • the Persians seized the "True Cross," the symbol of Christianity. • In addition, the Avars, Slavs, and Lombards also were posing serious threats to the Byzantine Empire. • The Avars had reached as far as the walls of Constantinople. • Emperor Heracleus ordered the gold and silver in churches to be melted and turned into money in order to meet the army's expenses. • When this proved insufficient, bronze statues were melted down in order to mint more money.

9. Byzantine and Persian Empires in 600 AD Muhammad was 30 years old Ali was just born

10. Campaign Map Campaign map from 611 to 624 through Syria, Anatolia, Armenia, and Mesopotamia

11. Battle between Heracleus' army and Persians under Khosrau II. Fresco by Piero della Francesca, c. 1452

12. Verses of Surah al-Room predict • During this time however, the first verses of Surah al-Room were revealed, • predicting that Byzantium would be victorious within a few years (3 to 9 years). • This prediction was hard to believe. The idol worshipping Arabs and Quraish thought it would never ever come true. • But 7 years later it came through. For: • In December 627, the two superpowers fought a real decisive battle at Nineveh. • The Byzantine army defeated the Persians, and • a few months later, the Persians sued for peace, and were obliged to return all the territories conquered.

13. The Dead Sea Basin: Romans defeated • To begin with, the Byzantines and the Persians fought at the Dead Sea basin, • Dead Sea basin is situated at the intersection point of lands belonging to Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. • At 399 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the "lowest" place on Earth's surface. • Modern scientific methods have proved the sea level of the Dead Sea was the lowest in the world. • That affirmed the Quranic revelation (فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ)In a lowest land.

14. Where Byzantium was defeated by Persians The Dead Sea basin where Byzantium was defeated by Persians. Satellite photograph of the region. Lake of Lut region the lowest region of the world, is 395 meter below the sea level.

15. The Dead Sea basin by Satellite • Satellite photograph of the Dead Sea basin. • The altitude of the Dead Sea could only be determined with modern measurement techniques. It affirms that this region is the "lowest region on the Earth.

16. The Dead Sea basin (Lake of Lut) "…a single line of prophecy was related to four nations and the fate of two great empires.

17. Prediction #2 Walid ibn al-Mughirah A description of his nose and its fate • The prediction was fulfilled about 13 years later. • It was at the Battle of Badr that his snout was cut.

18. Surah Al-Qalam وَلَا تُطِعْ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ مَهِينٍ {10} هَمَّازٍ مَشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيمٍ {11} مَنَّاعٍ لِلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ {12} عُتُلٍّ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ زَنِيمٍ {13} أَنْ كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ {14} إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا قَالَ أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ {15} سَنَسِمُهُ عَلَى الْخُرْطُومِ {16} إِنَّا بَلَوْنَاهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَا أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّةِ إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ { Translation next page

19. Translation of Surah Al-Qalam Heed not the type of despicable men,- ready with oaths, Detractor, spreader abroad of slanders, Hinderer of the good, transgressor, malefactor Violent (and cruel),- with all that, base-born,- Just because he is possessed of wealth and children That, when Our revelations are recited unto him, he says: Mere fables of the men of old. Soon shall We brand the beast on the snout! Verily We have tried them as We tried the People of the Garden, when they resolved to gather the fruits of the (garden) in the morning.

20. The prediction was fulfilled about 13 years later. • Ayahs 8 to 16 refer to Walid ibn al-Mughirah, a staunch enemy of Islam • Ibn Abbas narrates that "We know of no one whom God has described in such severe derogatory way: • He brands him (Walid ibn al-Mughirah) with ignominy • 'moreover' is semantically connected to zanim, (illegitimate)". • "Soon We shall brand him on the snout“ and his nose being chopped off by a sword at the Battle of Badr. • The Quran prediction was fulfilled about 13 years later.

21. al-Mughirah the Ring-Leader against Muhammad (pbuh) • Pay not attention to despicable men just because they have wealth, influence and man-power, on account of which they become violent, cruel and arrogant. • To have a mark of stigma on the nose, the most prominent part of the face, is a sign of utmost ignominy. • The term khurtum, الْخُرْطُومِ signifies the trunk of an elephant. • It refers to Walid bin al-Mughirah whose nose was unusually large, snout-like structure. • The snout received a wound in the battle of Badr, disfiguring it. • And it remained as a mark of shame and disgrace till he died. • He was the father of Khalid ibn Waleed the famous General

22. Prediction #3 Descendants of the Prophet • It was in the first year of the advent of Islam. • Muhammad was ridiculed by Quraish for not having male inheritor • The Quran assured Muhammad of an abundance of progeny • Muhammad’s progeny came through the family of Fatima and Ali. • The Progeny nowadays is in the Millions, and it is claimed to be 30-35 million

23. Surah Kawthar (Surah no. 108) إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ “To you We have granted abundance. Therefore to Your Lord turn in prayers and sacrifice. For he who despises you, will be without posterity”.

24. The Descendants of the Prophet • In Surah Kawthar, the Quran informs people that the descendants of Prophet will ultimately be numerous, • this despite the fact that in his lifetime his enemies were hopeful that he would die without male issue, since: • all the sons of the Prophet had died in infancy, and only one of his daughters survived him. • Today, the descendants of the Prophet (Sadaat and Ashraaf) can be found everywhere, estimated to be 30-35 million. • While the progeny of the enemies of Muhammad have become extinct.

25. Al-Kawthar • When the Prophet's son, Tahir, (born to Khadijah al Kubra), died, Amr bin Aas and Hakam bin Aas taunted the Holy Prophet by calling him CUT OFF. • But the Quran gave glad tidings to the Holy Prophet that abundance of unbounded grace, wisdom and knowledge, mercy and goodness. • The Holy Prophet said: • "Kawthar is a stream of super excellence, exclusively belonging to me. Only the righteous believers (among my followers) will be allowed to drink from it. Ali shall distribute the water from it to them. • From that day Ali was known and referred to by the companions as saqi al kawthar. • Kawthar also means abundance of descendants. The countless descendants of the Imams of Ahlul Bayt, in the progeny of Ali and Fatima.

26. Al-Kawthar • In gratitude of the grant of "abundance", the Holy Prophet and his Ahlul Bayt demonstrated highest standard of: • devotion in prayers and • in giving everything they had in the cause of Allah. • The sacrifice of Imam Husain, has been described as dhibin adhim (in verse 107 of Saffat) وَفَدَيْنَاهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ • In some degree or other, according to the grade of their submission, all the believing men and women receive some portion from the "abundance" given to the Holy Prophet, • therefore they are commanded to pray Salat regularly and sacrifice whatever they have in the cause of Allah whenever necessary.

27. Prediction #4 Abu Lahab, the uncle of the Prophet • It was in the early years of the advent of Islam, when angrily Abu Lahab said to the Prophet: Perdition to you. • Quran proclaims that Abu Lahab will refuse Islam throughout his life. • That he will not change his mind, and his destiny will be hell-fire.

28. Abu Lahab تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ Perdition overtake both hands of Abu Lahab, and he will perish. His wealth and gains will exempt him not. He will be plunged in flaming Fire, And his wife, the wood-carrier, Will have upon her neck a halter of palm-fiber. (111:1-3).

29. The Final Outcome of Abu Lahab • The Quran predicts precisely the final outcome of Abu Lahab, the adamant enemy of Islam. • It predicts that he will refuse Islam till he dies, and for this reason his destiny will be hell-fire. • All historians agree that Abu Lahab had: • Continued to be a disbeliever till his death; • that he persisted in his extreme hostility to the Prophet till the final moments of his life. • He persisted in his vitriolic animosity until he died. • Abu Lahab was an uncle of the Holy Prophet, • He was a bitter enemy and a fiery opponent of Islam and his nephew Muhammad.

30. Who is Abu Lahab? • Abu Lahab’s wife, Umm Jumail, sister of Abu Sufyan, took pleasure in throwing thorny refuse in the path the Holy Prophet used to take. • Abu Lahab used to urge the people to throw stones at the Holy Prophet, telling them that he was a mad man. • Neither his wealth nor his supporters would be able to save him from the blazing fire. • Abu Lahab was struck by a disease similar to small pox and died in a week of lesions that refused to heal. • The Quraish feared the disease as much as plague and so nobody went near the corpse for three days leaving it decaying. • Finally, his sons splashed water on the dead body from a distance, pushed it down a high wall, and heaped it up with stones.

31. Quran and Abu Lahab • To discredit the Prophet and the Quranic prediction, all that Abu Lahab and his wife had to do was to announce their Islam, even if hypocritically. • The husband and wife had twelve years to do so, but they did not, and let the prediction come true. • If the Prophet wished to conceal anything of the Quran, he would have wished to conceal this chapter, • for until the death of Abu Lahab and his wife, there was a chance that if they embraced Islam (after this Surah was revealed), it would be a pretty awkward situation. • These verses have been cited as a proof of Quranic revelation.

32. Prediction #5 Promise of the return • At Juhfa, an Ayah is revealed • The Prophet was being chased by Quraish to kill him • He was escaping Mecca on his way to Medina. • At a most vulnerable time an Ayah is revealed, assuring him. • The Quran promised Muhammad by saying: Verily He Who ordained the Quran for thee, will bring thee back to the Place of Return.

33. The Prediction was fulfilled 8 years later • At a scary time when: • The Prophet was being chased by the enemy Quraish to kill him • While on his way from Mecca to Medina • At a place called Juhfa • And still having a longing for Mecca • The Prophet receives a revelation promising: • His return to Mecca some time in the future • The Prediction was fulfilled 8 years later

34. The Return of the Prophet to Mecca إِنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لَرَادُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ ۚ قُلْ رَبِّي أَعْلَمُ مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَمَنْ هُوَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ Verily He Who ordained the Quran for thee, will bring thee back to the Place of Return. Say: "My Lord knows best who it is that brings true guidance, and who is in manifest error."(28:85).

35. Route taken by the Prophet from Mecca to Medina • Route taken by the Prophet from Mecca to Medina • Ayah of return was revealed at Juhfa

36. Road taken from Mecca to Medina by Prophet Muhammad

37. Prophet Muhammad’s route from Mecca to Medina

38. Prediction fulfilled 8 years hence Al Juhfa ruins (Image: Peter Sanders) Prophet Muhammad’s route from Mecca to Medina

39. Prediction #6 Prediction of the return to Mecca triumphantly The Quran has also foretold the conquest of Mecca and the triumph of the Muslims over the pagan Quraish • This took place about three years from the revelation of the Ayah

40. Conquest of Mecca لَقَدْ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ رَسُولَهُ الرُّؤْيَا بِالْحَقِّ ۖ لَتَدْخُلُنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ آمِنِينَ مُحَلِّقِينَ رُءُوسَكُمْ وَمُقَصِّرِينَ لَا تَخَافُونَ ۖ فَعَلِمَ مَا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا فَجَعَلَ مِنْ دُونِ ذَٰلِكَ فَتْحًا قَرِيبًا • Truly did Allah fulfill the vision for His Messenger: ye shall enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, • with minds secure, heads shaved, hair cut short, and without fear. • For He knew what ye knew not, and He granted, besides this, a speedy victory.(48:27)

41. This prediction was fulfilled 3 years later • These predictions were made at a time • when no military expert or adviser could have ever predicted the occurrence, • given the difficult circumstances of the Muslims and • the unfavorable situation in which they found themselves.

42. Mecca Entered • Mecca lies in the Valley of Ibrahim, surrounded by black rugged hills reaching heights of 1,000 ft at some places. • There were four entry routes through passes in the hills. • These were from the north-west, the south-west, the south, and the north-east. • Muhammad divided the Muslim army into four columns: one to advance through each pass. • The main column in which Muhammad was present was to enter Mecca from the north-west. • The second column was to enter Mecca from the south-west, through a pass west of Kuda hill. • The column entering from the south through Kudai was under the leadership of Imam Ali. • The last column under Khalid ibn al-Walid was tasked to enter from the north-east.

43. Mecca surrenders • Orders of Muhammad was to refrain from fighting unless Quraish attacks. • The Muslim forces entered Mecca on Monday, 11 December 629 (17 Ramadhan 8 Hijrah). • The entry was peaceful and bloodless on three sectors (except for that of Khalid's column). • The hardened anti-Muslims like Ikrimah and Sufwan gathered a band of Quraish fighters and faced Khalid's column. • After a short skirmish the Quraish lost ground after losing twelve men. • Muslim losses were two warriors.

44. Go your way, for you are free الطلقاء • Then, along with his companions Muhammad visited the Ka'ba. • The idols were broken and their gods were destroyed, while reciting Say, the Truth has come and falsehood gone. Verily falsehood is bound to vanish." • Then Muhammad turning to the Meccans said: • "O Quraish, what do you think of the treatment that I should accord you?" • And they said pleadingly, "Mercy, O Prophet of Allah. We expect what is good from you." • Thereupon Muhammad declared: • "I speak to you in the same words as Yusuf spoke to his brothers. This day there is no reproof against you; Go your way, for you are free الطلقاء ."

45. Unlikely Prediction: Conquering Mecca

46. And the Idols were destroyed • 360 idols in and around the Ka’ba were destroyed by the Prophet and Ali • Hubal, Laat, Manat, and Uzza were destroyed, along with all the others • From the top of Ka’ba and with his melodic voice and jubilantly, Bilal said the Athan as loud as he could. And they prayed in gratitude to God.

47. Artist rendering Artist rendering of the conquest of Mecca

48. Prediction #7 Khaybar Allah has promised you many gains that you shall acquire • This took place about a few months from the revelation of the Ayah

49. Khaybar وَعَدَكُمُ اللَّهُ مَغَانِمَ كَثِيرَةً تَأْخُذُونَهَا فَعَجَّلَ لَكُمْ هَٰذِهِ وَكَفَّ أَيْدِيَ النَّاسِ عَنْكُمْ وَلِتَكُونَ آيَةً لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَيَهْدِيَكُمْ صِرَاطًا مُسْتَقِيمًا Allah has promised you many gains that you shall acquire, and He has given you these beforehand; and He has restrained the hands of men from you; that it may be a Sign for the Believers, and that He may guide you to a Straight Path;

50. Conquest of Khaybar • In the same verse (48:20), the Quran also mentions the future occurrence of another historical event, • namely the triumph of the Muslim warriors at Khaybar, and their conquest of its formidable fortresses. • Hard blows had been inflicted upon the Muslims from Khaybar, • but in the end the army of Islam triumphed over the Jews, and the predictions of the Quran was completely fulfilled?