The Romans (Al-Room)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Alif Lam Mim. 1 The Romans have been defeated 2 In a near land, and they, after being vanquished, shall overcome, 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 God's succour: [for] He gives succour to whomever He wills, since He alone is almighty, a dispenser of grace. 5 It is a promise of God; and God does not go back on His promise. Yet most men do not understand: 6 they only know the outward appearance of the life of this world, and they are neglectful of the Hereafter. 7 Do they not contemplate within themselves? Allah has not created the heavens and the earth and what is between them except in truth and for a specified term. And indeed, many of the people, in [the matter of] the meeting with their Lord, are disbelievers. 8 Have they not travelled through the land to see how terrible was the end of the people who lived before them. The people who lived before them were stronger than them in might, in tilling, and in developing the earth. Our Messengers came to them with clear miracles. God did not do an injustice to them but they wronged themselves. 9 Therefore evil was the end of those who did evil, for they denied the signs of God and made fun of them. 10