سَيُهزَمُ الجَمعُ وَيُوَلّونَ الدُّبُرَ
The league will be routed and turn its back [to flee].
EXEGESIS
Sayuhzamu (will be routed) is prefixed by the preposition sa which signifies near future. Yuhzamu comes from the root hazama which originally means applying pressure to a dried body such that it disintegrates. When used in the context of war it means the army shall be disintegrated and broken down.[1] Thus, hazīmah means defeat in battle. Relying on the etymology of the word, some exegetes have suggested that the verse is implying that even though the polytheists outwardly claim to be united and one, as mentioned in the previous verse, in reality they are like a dry body that is easily crushed, and which disintegrates when put under pressure.[2]
Yuwallūn al-dubur (turn its back). Whilst the verse literally says that the group mentioned in the previous verse shall turn their backs, this is an indication of fleeing in confrontation.[3]
The word dubur (back) is in the singular form and has the meaning of genus. However, the verb yuwallūn (turn) is in plural. Exegetes have mentioned that it is grammatically acceptable for dubur to be in the singular form because the genus gives the meaning of plural. However, the same phrase appears in other places in the Quran but there dubur is in the plural (adbār) (see 3:111, 8:15, and 33:15). Rāzī mentions that the singular form was preferred here to maintain a similar rhyming scheme as the previous verses.[4]
EXPOSITION
This verse acts as a forewarning of what is to soon occur in the future: the polytheists shall be defeated and they shall flee, turning their backs towards the Muslims. The exegetes are unanimous that this verse is a reference to the Battle of Badr and thus acts as evidence for the miraculous nature of the Quran for it is foretelling an event that would seem very unlikely, especially since the verse was revealed in Mecca whilst the Muslims were few in number and were being harassed by the polytheists. It was unimaginable that the Muslims would gain power such that they could summon an army and defeat the polytheists.[5]
Some say the time span between this verse and the Battle of Badr was seven years.[6]
INSIGHTS FROM HADITH
- It has been reported from ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb that when this verse was revealed he was wondering which group shall be defeated, until on the day of Badr he saw the Prophet wearing his armour, whilst he (the Prophet) was reciting, The league will be routed and turn its back [to flee], and he thus came to understand the implication of the verse on that day.[7]
[1] Amthal, 17/342.
[2] Amthal, 17/342.
[3] Mizan, 19/84.
[4] Razi, 29/322.
[5] Munyah, 27/220; Mizan, 19/84; Tibyan, 9/459; Safi, 5/104; Suyuti, 6/136.
[6] Qurtubi, 17/146.
[7] Suyuti, 6/137.