The Romans (Al-Room)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Alif-Laam-Meem. (Alphabets of the Arabic language – Allah, and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.) 1 The Romans have been defeated (by the Persians) 2 in the nearer part of the land; and, after their vanquishing, they shall be the victors 3 in a few years. All power belongs to Allah both before and after. On that day will the believers rejoice 4 in the victory of Allah. Allah gives victory to whosoever He will, and He is the Mighty, the Merciful. 5 (It is) a Promise of Allah (i.e. Allah will give victory to the Romans against the Persians), and Allah fails not in His Promise, but most of men know 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 Have they not pondered upon themselves? Allah created not the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, save with truth and for a destined end. But truly many of mankind are disbelievers in the meeting with their Lord. 8 What, have they not journeyed in the land and beheld how was the end of those before them? They were stronger than themselves in might, and they ploughed up the earth and cultivated it more than they themselves have cultivated it; and their Messengers came to them with the clear signs; and God would never wrong them, but themselves they wronged. 9 Then the end of those that did evil was evil, for that they cried lies to the signs of God and mocked at them. 10