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 Romans have been defeated (by the Persians) 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 the victory of Allah. He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful. 5 This is Allah's promise and He does not go back on His promise. But most people do not know. 6 They know an outward part of this life, but of the Everlasting Life they are inattentive. 7 Do they not think for themselves that God did not create the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them without reason and a determined purpose? But many men reject 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 evil was the end of those who did evil, because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them. 10