177- The Predictions of the Holy Qur’an (Series: Inviting Reflections).

In order to establish the Divine Character of the Holy Qur’an the Predictions and Forecasts of the Qur’an, which came true and witnessed by the people, has been a well-attended subject in the Qur’an exegeses.

Some Predictions made by the Qur’an are listed below:

1- In early days of Makkan period, during life-time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the Persians conquered many lands under influence of the Byzantine Empire and laid siege to Constantinople itself. At this time, when apparently there was no chance, the Qur’an predicted victory of the Byzantine Empire. The Holy Qur’an predicted

."غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّن بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُون، فِى بِضْعِ سِنِينَ"

(The Roman Empire has been defeated- In a land close by; but they, (even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious, in a few years (. Surah: 30, Verses: 2-4.

Edward Gibbon, in his celebrated book: The Decline and Fall of Roman Empire, says that the Qur’anic prediction came to be true when no one could have imagined it. The pagans of Makkah, after one year or so, objected that contrary to the Qur’anic claim, the Persians have not been defeated. In fact the key word in the above verse is: “"بِضْعِ which is applied in the Arabic language to the numbers: 3 to 9, and the Persians were defeated during these years.

2-  The moon was split asunder. It was also witnessed by several of the Prophet’s contemporaries.

3-  At the time of Hijra from Makkah to Madina, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was told that Allah will bring him back:

."إِنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لَرَادُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ ۚ قُل رَّبِّي أَعْلَمُ مَن جَاءَ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَمَنْ هُوَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ"

(He Who ordained the Qur’an for you will return you Home. Say, "My Lord knows best who comes with guidance, and who is in manifest error). Surah: 28, Verse: 85.

The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, returned to Makkah al-Mukarramah just in eight years victoriously.

4-  The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was told that Allah will save him from the enemies.  Allah says:

"يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ النَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ"

(O Messenger, convey what was revealed to you from your Lord. But if you do not, then you would not have delivered His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Allah does not guide the disbelieving people). Surah: 5, Verse: 67.

In addition to a number of conspiracies of the enemies to kill Muhammad, peace be upon him, 81 military expeditions or battles took place during life time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, between Muslims and unbelievers; and the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, took part in 57 out of 81 such wars or armed scuffles. Allah Almighty saved him as was promised.

5-  The Qur’an claimed that no one will be able to bring/compose any Surah like the Qur’an and that the Holy Qur’an is inimitable:

"وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِى رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ. فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا۟ وَلَن تَفْعَلُوا۟ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِى وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلْحِجَارَةُ ۖ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ".

(And if you are in doubt about what we have revealed to Our servant, then produce a Surah (chapter) like these, and call your witnesses apart from Allah, if you are truthful.  But if you do not---and you will not---then beware the Fire whose fuel is people and stones, prepared for the disbelievers). Surah: 2, Verses: 23-24.

6-  The Holy Qur’an is safe from any adulteration or corruption because Allah Almighty has guaranteed its safety. Among 315 revealed holy scriptures and books, it is only the last message of Allah: Al-Qur’an al-Karim which is extant as it was revealed unto the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, despite hazards of history during last millenieum and a half. Allah says:

." إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ "                                 

(We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and we will assuredly guard it (from corruption). Surah: 15, Verse: 9.

7-    Allah had warned us well before that We (Allah) will gradually reduce the earth from its extrimities. The two verses of the Qur’an, in this context, read as follows:

"أَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَآ ".

(Do they not see how we gradually reduce the land from its extremities? Surah 21: Verse 44.

The same has been mentioned in the Qur’an at another place:

."أَوَ لَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَا ۚ وَ ٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ لَا مُعَقِّب لِحُكْمِهِۦ ۚ  وَ هُوَ سَرِيعُ  ٱلْحِسَابِ"                    

(Do they not see how We deal with the earth, diminishing it at its edges? God judges; and nothing can hold back His judgment. And He is quick to settle accounts). Surah 13:  Verse 41.

The above warning was served on us a millennium and half years before. Unfortunately, we did not take any notice of it and failed to pay any heed. Now because of Global Warming or other geological reasons the humanity is exposed to another danger that the sea is going to swallow some more dry parts of the land. Such verses again remind us that the Qur’an should be taken as an Avenue of Knowledge to plan the future of the humanity.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, has said:

 ." .....لَا يَنْقَضِى عَجَائِبُ الْقُرْاّن "

(The wonders of the Qur’an will never come to an end).

For the Qur’anic predictions and miracles of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the readers and the students of the Qur’anic studies are further recommended following books for more details:

1) Dala’il al-Nubuwwah by al-Bayhaqi;

 2) Dala’il al-Nubuwwah by Abu Nu‘aim al-Isfahani;

 3) Al-Khasa’is al-Kubra by al-Suyuti; and,

 4) Ghayat al-Su’ul fi Khasa’is al-Rusul by Ibn al-Mulaqqin.