The triumph of the Byzantines over the Persians

The Byzantine and Persian Empires were the superpowers of the time. It was during the years when the few believers were severely persecuted in Makka that the Persians utterly defeated the Byzantines. They had sweeping victories and conquered Aleppo, Antioch, and the chief Syrian provinces, including Damascus. Jerusalem fell into their arms in 614-615. The Christians were massacred and their churches were burnt. The Persian flood of conquest went on to Egypt and reached as far as Tripoli in North Africa. Another Persian army ravaged Asia Minor and reached right up to the gates of Constantinople. The Makkan pagans rejoiced greatly, and redoubled their taunts and persecution against the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, whose Message was a renewal of the Message of Jesus preached in Palestine. The following Qur’anic verses, which were revealed just at that time, gave certain tidings of a very near victory of the Romans over the Persians:
The Romans have been defeated in a land close by, but they, after their defeat, will be victorious within nine years. God’s is the command in the former case and the latter, and on that day, believers will rejoice, with the help of God. He helps to victory whom He wills. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Compassionate. (al-Rum, 30.1-5)

No one at that time could make such a prediction. But the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, conveyed these Divine Revelations to his followers. They confirmed him without hesitation, and Abu Bakr bet the Makkan polytheists that the Romans would be victorious in nine years. Heraclius, the Roman Emperor, attacked the Persians by sea in 622 (the year of the Hijra), and after decisive battles and three successive campaigns, put them to rout in a few years. His victories happened at the same time as the believers won the victory of Badr over the Makkan polytheists. Thus, the verses above contained two predictions, both of which came true in nine years.