"The Romans have been defeated in a land close by. " (Q30: 2).
This 'land Close by' refers to Syria: will, and He and Palestine (Jerusalem in Particular).
The Romans lost Jerusalem to the Persians in 615 CE shortly before this verse was revealed (about 7 years) before the Hijrah (622 CE). None of the Roman cities conquered by Persia (Aleppo, Antioch, Lemniscus and other Syrian cities 611) witnessed such destruction.
Jerusalem was burnt and pledged. The inhabitants particularly the Christians were massacred and their churches burnt. The so-called burial place of Christ was insulted and defiled and several Christian relics were carted away to Persia, including the so-called 'true cross' on which Jesus was believed to have been crucified.
In this pillage and massacre, the Persians were assisted by crowds of Jews, (who were discontented with the Christian domination) and the Pagans (who would welcome any opportunity to plunder and destroy). Today, the same Jerusalem is a sacred centre of Islam and the I pseudo-religions of Christianity and Judaism. It is controlled by the Jews, although many of the inhabitants are Muslim. How ironic!
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited