Surah Ar-Rum 30:3
ﲠ ﲡ ﲢ ﲣ ﲤ ﲥ ﲦ ﲧ
In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome.
Tafsir of Ar-Rum 30:3
Tafsir
Ruh al-Ma'ani
Verse range: 30:3
In the nearest land (Meaning: the closest of it). The intent by "the land" is the land of the Romans, given that the definite article (*al-*) acts as a substitute for the possessive pronoun. The proximity is viewed from the perspective of the people of Mecca, since the discourse is directed at them. Or, the intent is the land of Mecca and its surroundings, as it is the land familiar to them, and the proximity is viewed from the perspective of the Romans. Or, the intent by "the land" is the land of the Romans, due to their being mentioned, and the proximity is viewed from the perspective of their enemy—namely, Persia—due to the discussion regarding their defeat. It has been reported through numerous chains that the war took place between Adhri'at and Bosra. Ibn Abbas and al-Suddi said: In Jordan and Palestine. Mujahid said: In al-Jazirah, meaning the al-Jazirah of Umar, not the Arabian Peninsula. Each statement is aligned with one of the three aforementioned perspectives in order. Ibn Hajar authenticated the first statement.
Al-Kalbi recited: "In the adana (lowest/nearest) of the land."
"And they"—meaning the Romans—"after their defeat" (ghalabihim): that is, the Persians' defeat of them. It is an infinitive added to its object, or to its acting subject if it were an infinitive of a passive verb. Some scholars prefer this for its consistency with the majestic arrangement [of the Quran].
Ali (may Allah honor his face), Ibn Umar, and Muawiyah ibn Qurrah recited "ghalbihim" with a quiescent lam. It is narrated from Abu Amr that he recited "ghalabihim" in the form of kitab. All are infinitives of ghalaba. The prepositional phrase relates to His saying: "They will be victorious." In this is an emphasis of what is understood from the [prefix] sin [indicating future tense], and because the one who was defeated by them was the one who was their victor. Constructing the sentence upon the pronoun reinforces the ruling; that is, they will certainly defeat Persia, without doubt.