[In] the nearest land": the land of the Romans in Adhru'at, in the Levant. That is where the battle took place. When this reached the polytheists of the Arabs, they rejoiced. It pleased them that the Magians (Persians) should prevail over the People of the Scripture. However, it pleased the Muslims that the Romans should prevail over the Persians, because the Romans were People of the Scripture. Allah said: "And they, after their defeat, will overcome," referring to the Persians.
﴿فِي أدنى الأَرْض﴾ أَرْضِ الرُّومِ بِأَذْرُعَاتٍ مِنَ الشَّامِ؛ بِهَا كَانَتِ الْوَقْعَةُ، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ مُشْرِكِي الْعَرَبِ شَمِتُوا، وَكَانَ يُعْجِبُهُمْ أَنْ يَظْهَرَ الْمَجُوسُ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ، وَكَانَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يُعْجِبُهُمْ أَنْ يَظْهَرَ الرُّومُ عَلَى فَارِسَ؛ لِأَن الرّوم أهل كتاب، قَالَ اللَّهُ: ﴿وَهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ غلبهم سيغلبون﴾ فَارس
