Revealed during the late Makkan period when the early Muslims were mocked by the pagans of Makkah, Surah Ar-Rum (The Romans) opens with a bold, miraculous prophecy: that the Byzantine Empire (the Romans), who had just suffered a devastating defeat by the Persians, would be victorious within a few years. This prophecy was fulfilled exactly as declared, coinciding with the Muslim victory at Badr, serving as a powerful proof of the Quran's divine origin. The chapter directs human attention to the profound signs of God's existence and power in the universe—the creation of spouses for tranquility, the diversity of languages and colors, sleep, and the reviving of dead land with rain. It warns humanity against the destructive spiritual disease of associating partners with God (Shirk) and ethical corruption, urging them to remain anchored in the natural disposition (*Fitrah*) upon which God created mankind, and to remain patient because the promise of God is absolute truth.
Transliteration
Aliflammeem
Translation
Alif, Lam, Meem
Transliteration
Ghulibati alrroomu
Translation
The Romans have been defeated
Transliteration
Fee adna alardi wahum min baAAdi ghalabihim sayaghliboona
Translation
In a nearby territory. But following their defeat, they will be victorious
Transliteration
Fee bidAAi sineena lillahi alamru min qablu wamin baAAdu wayawmaithin yafrahu almuminoona
Translation
In a few years. The matter is up to God, in the past, and in the future. On that day, the believers will rejoice
Transliteration
Binasri Allahi yansuru man yashao wahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
Translation
In God’s support. He supports whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, the Merciful
Transliteration
WaAAda Allahi la yukhlifu Allahu waAAdahu walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
Translation
The promise of God—God never breaks His promise, but most people do not know
Transliteration
YaAAlamoona thahiran mina alhayati alddunya wahum AAani alakhirati hum ghafiloona
Translation
They know an outer aspect of the worldly life, but they are heedless of the Hereafter
Transliteration
Awalam yatafakkaroo fee anfusihim ma khalaqa Allahu alssamawati waalarda wama baynahuma illa bialhaqqi waajalin musamman wainna katheeran mina alnnasi biliqai rabbihim lakafiroona
Translation
Do they not reflect within themselves? God did not create the heavens and the earth, and what is between them, except with reason, and for a specific duration. But most people, regarding meeting their Lord, are disbelievers
Transliteration
Awalam yaseeroo fee alardi fayanthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu allatheena min qablihim kanoo ashadda minhum quwwatan waatharoo alarda waAAamarooha akthara mimma AAamarooha wajaathum rusuluhum bialbayyinati fama kana Allahu liyathlimahum walakin kanoo anfusahum yathlimoona
Translation
Have they not travelled the earth and seen how those before them ended up? They were more powerful than them, and they cultivated the land and developed it more than they developed it, and their messengers came to them with clear signs. God would never wrong them, but they used to wrong themselves
Transliteration
Thumma kana AAaqibata allatheena asaoo alssooa an kaththaboo biayati Allahi wakanoo biha yastahzioona
Translation
Then, evil was the end of those who committed evil. That is because they rejected God’s revelations, and used to ridicule them
Transliteration
Allahu yabdao alkhalqa thumma yuAAeeduhu thumma ilayhi turjaAAoona
Translation
God originates creation, and then repeats it. Then to Him you will be returned
Transliteration
Wayawma taqoomu alssaAAatu yublisu almujrimoona
Translation
On the Day when the Hour takes place, the guilty will despair
Transliteration
Walam yakun lahum min shurakaihim shufaAAao wakanoo bishurakaihim kafireena
Translation
They will have no intercessors from among their idols, and they will disown their partners
Transliteration
Wayawma taqoomu alssaAAatu yawmaithin yatafarraqoona
Translation
On the Day when the Hour takes place—on that Day they will separate
Transliteration
Faamma allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati fahum fee rawdatin yuhbaroona
Translation
As for those who believed and did good deeds—they will be delighted in meadows
Transliteration
Waamma allatheena kafaroo wakaththaboo biayatina waliqai alakhirati faolaika fee alAAathabi muhdaroona
Translation
But as for those who disbelieved, and rejected Our signs and the encounter of the Hereafter—those will be hauled into the torment
Transliteration
Fasubhana Allahi heena tumsoona waheena tusbihoona
Translation
So glorify God when you retire at night, and when you rise in the morning
Transliteration
Walahu alhamdu fee alssamawati waalardi waAAashiyyan waheena tuthhiroona
Translation
His is the praise in the heavens and on earth, and in the evening, and when you reach midday
Transliteration
Yukhriju alhayya mina almayyiti wayukhriju almayyita mina alhayyi wayuhyee alarda baAAda mawtiha wakathalika tukhrajoona
Translation
He brings the living out of the dead, and He brings the dead out of the living, and He revives the land after it had died. Likewise you will be resurrected
Transliteration
Wamin ayatihi an khalaqakum min turabin thumma itha antum basharun tantashiroona
Translation
And of His signs is that He created you from dust; and behold, you become humans spreading out