up to His words, “and He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful” (al-Rūm 5).

Abu Bakr then went out in Mecca, reciting it aloud:
“Alif-Lām-Mīm. The Romans have been defeated—in the nearest land; yet after their defeat they will triumph within a few years” (al-Rūm 1–3).

The chiefs of Mecca said to him, “What is this, O son of Abū Quḥāfa? Perhaps it is something your companion brings?” He replied, “No, by Allah; it is the speech of Allah, the Word of the Blessed and Exalted.” They said, “Then let this be a wager between us and you: if the Romans prevail over the Persians within a few years….” So Abu Bakr entered into a wager with them, and Allah granted the Romans victory over the Persians in less than nine years, whereupon a great number of the idolaters embraced Islam.

Ibn Mukram said: “In those days Quraysh looked for victory through the Persians, for both parties denied the resurrection and worshipped idols; whereas the believers looked for victory through the Romans, for both parties were people of prophethood and affirmed the resurrection. Accordingly, Allah the Exalted revealed:”