and on the Day of Resurrection they will be among the disgraced. Concerning them it was said:

“How many gardens and springs they left behind, [ad-Dukhan: 25] (25)

and fields and splendid dwellings, [ad-Dukhan: 26] (26)

and a life of ease in which they used to revel. [ad-Dukhan: 27] (27)

Thus it was; and We caused other people to inherit all that. [ad-Dukhan: 28] (28)

So neither heaven nor earth wept for them, nor were they granted any reprieve.” [ad-Dukhan: 29] (29)

Moreover, the Exalted has told us that alongside many prophets, great hosts of devout followers were killed—indeed, thousands upon thousands. Yet they neither weakened nor yielded; instead, they sought forgiveness for the sins that had allowed the enemy to gain the upper hand. Allah then granted them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. If such is the lot of ordinary believers who are slain, what do you imagine awaits the prophets who are killed? For them and for their followers there is a share of happiness in both worlds that ranks among the greatest forms of success.

The occasional dominance of the unbelievers over the believers happens because of the Muslims’ own sins, as on the Day of Uhud. Should the Muslims repent, they prevail over the disbelievers, and the final outcome belongs to them—just as this pattern has unfolded for the Muslims in nearly all their major engagements with the unbelievers. This is one of the unmistakable signs and proofs of prophethood: whenever people uphold the Prophet’s covenants and heed his instructions, Allah grants them victory.