The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 581
to predict that within a period ranging from three to nine years, tables would be completely turned upon the Persians, and the vanquished would become the victors. The prophecy was literally fulfilled in most extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances (v. 5). Its fulfilment implied another and greater prophecy that the forces of disbelief which were then too powerful for the poor and weak Muslims would also be put to complete rout, and Islam would march triumphantly from strength to strength. The disbelievers are further warned that the lesson is writ large on the face of history that rejecters of God's Prophets ultimately come to grief, and truth always triumphs and prospers, and, therefore, they should not allow themselves to be lulled into a false sense of complacency that things will always remain as they are. They are told that God has decreed that the face of the earth will change and a new order will be brought about through Islam. The Surah then proceeds to refer to the great powers of God manifested in the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of day and night, the perfect design and order that exist in the universe, and to the birth of man from very insignificant beginnings. All these things lead to the irresistible and inevitable conclusion that God Who possesses such vast and unlimited powers does also have the power to make Islam grow from a small seed into a mighty tree under whose shade the whole of humanity will someday take rest, since it is the last Divine Message for mankind. It further says that Islam is bound to succeed because it is i. e. it conforms to human nature and appeals to man's conscience, reason and common sense. The triumph of Islam will come about through a great and wonderful revolution which will take place in Arabia. A people, morally and spiritually as good as dead will be roused from their deep sleep of ages, and drinking deep at the spiritual fountain caused by the Holy Prophet to flow will become the torchbearers of spiritual light and will carry the Message of Islam to the ends of the earth and bring back erring humanity into the fold of its Creator. Towards the close of the Sūrah disbelievers are warned that their opposition cannot arrest or retard the progress of Islam. Truth in the long run always triumphs and prospers and falsehood is defeated and humiliated. This has happened in the time of every Prophet of God and this will happen again in the time of the Holy Prophet. The Prophet is then asked to bear with patience and fortitude all the persecution and mockery to which he is subjected, as success will soon come to him and those very people who now exult in harrying and harassing him will take pride in calling themselves his followers, and in serving his cause. 2495