The Romans (Al-Room)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Alif-Lam-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. 1 The Roman Empire has been defeated- 2 in the nearer part of the land; and, after their vanquishing, they shall be the victors 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 With the help of Allah. He helps whom He will, and He is exalted in might, most merciful. 5 (It is) the promise of Allah. Never does Allah depart from His promise: but most men understand not. 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 Do they not ponder about their own selves? God has created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a purpose and for an appointed time? Yet many deny they will ever meet with their Lord. 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 consequence to those who dealt in evil, because they denied the revelations of Allah and made a mock of them. 10