but the Arabs would defeat the Jews. The Jews therefore said to one another, “Come, let us seek victory in our battle against the Arabs through Muhammad, whom we find described in our scripture as a prophet who will arise from among the Arabs.” Whenever they met in battle, they would say, “O Allah, by the right of Muhammad, the unlettered Prophet whom You promised us You would send forth, grant us victory over them!” Allah, Mighty and Majestic, answered them and granted the Jews victory over the Arabs.

Yet when the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was sent, they disbelieved in him out of envy, despite knowing that he was a true prophet about whom they had no doubt. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, therefore cursed them and revealed:

“Before this, they used to seek victory over those who disbelieved, but when there came to them what they recognized, they disbelieved in it. So may Allah’s curse be upon the disbelievers.” [al-Baqarah: 89]