Surah 30. Ar-Rum, Ayah 3

 This can also mean “in the lowest part of the earth.” The Dead Sea area where this battle reportedly took place is the lowest point on earth, at 400 meters (1 300 feet) below sea level. NASA: www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_708.html

The Pagan Quraish of Makkah rejoiced at the overthrow of Rome by Persia. They were pro-Persian, and in their heart of hearts they hoped that the nascent movement of Islam, which at that time was, from a worldly point of view, very weak and helpless, would also collapse under their persecution. But they misread the true Signs of the times. They are told here that they would soon be disillusioned in both their calculations, and it actually so happened at the battle of Issus in 622 (the year of Hijrat) and in 624, when Heradius carried his campaign into the heart of Persia (see Appendix No: 6) and the Makkan Quraish were beaten off at Badr.