The Romans (Al-Room)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Alif. Lam. Mim. 1 The Romans have been defeated. 2 In the nearer land (Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. 3 Within three to nine years. The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with Allah, (before the defeat of Romans by the Persians, and after, i.e. the defeat of the Persians by the Romans). And on that Day, the believers (i.e. Muslims) will rejoice (at the victory given by Allah to the Romans against the Persians), 4 in the victory of Allah. Allah gives victory to whosoever He will, and He is the Mighty, the Merciful. 5 [It is] the promise of Allah. Allah does not fail in His promise, but most of the people do not know. 6 They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigating or sowing or reaping, etc.), and they are heedless of the Hereafter. 7 Ponder they not in their minds: Allah hath not created the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is in-between the twain save with a purpose and for a term appointed? And verily many men in the meeting of their Lord are unbelievers. 8 What, have they never journeyed in the land and seen what was the end of those before them? They were stronger in might than themselves, and they plowed the land and cultivated it more than they themselves have cultivated it. And to them, their Messengers came with clear signs, and Allah did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves. 9 Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them. 10