Revealed during the late Makkan period when the early Muslims were mocked by the pagans of Makkah, Surah Ar-Rum (The Romans) opens with a bold, miraculous prophecy: that the Byzantine Empire (the Romans), who had just suffered a devastating defeat by the Persians, would be victorious within a few years. This prophecy was fulfilled exactly as declared, coinciding with the Muslim victory at Badr, serving as a powerful proof of the Quran's divine origin. The chapter directs human attention to the profound signs of God's existence and power in the universe—the creation of spouses for tranquility, the diversity of languages and colors, sleep, and the reviving of dead land with rain. It warns humanity against the destructive spiritual disease of associating partners with God (Shirk) and ethical corruption, urging them to remain anchored in the natural disposition (*Fitrah*) upon which God created mankind, and to remain patient because the promise of God is absolute truth.
Transliteration
Aliflammeem
Translation
Alif, Lam, Meem
These three disjointed letters ('Alif-Lam-Mim') are Huruf Muqatta'at, whose true knowledge rests with Allah alone. They open a chapter containing one of the most stunning geopolitical prophecies in human history.
Transliteration
Ghulibati alrroomu
Translation
The Romans have been defeated
Around 614 CE, the Zoroastrian Persian Empire crushed the Christian Byzantine Romans, conquering Jerusalem and Egypt. Meccan pagans celebrated, boasting to Muslims that just as fire-worshipers defeated scriptural monotheists, Meccan polytheists would crush the Muslims.
Transliteration
Fee adna alardi wahum min baAAdi ghalabihim sayaghliboona
Translation
In a nearby territory. But following their defeat, they will be victorious
The Quran made a bold, audaciously specific historical prophecy: the defeated Romans would reverse their losses and defeat Persia within three to nine years ('bid'i sinin'). The verse also notes they were defeated in 'adna al-ard'—which classical scholars translated as 'the nearest land' and which modern geological surveys identify as the Dead Sea basin, literally the lowest terrestrial elevation on Earth.
Transliteration
Fee bidAAi sineena lillahi alamru min qablu wamin baAAdu wayawmaithin yafrahu almuminoona
Translation
In a few years. The matter is up to God, in the past, and in the future. On that day, the believers will rejoice
Historical fulfillment: Against all military odds, Emperor Heraclius launched a brilliant counter-offensive in 624 CE, decisively routing the Persians at Nineveh. This Byzantine triumph occurred in the exact same week that the fledgling Muslim community achieved their historic victory at the Battle of Badr.
Transliteration
Binasri Allahi yansuru man yashao wahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu
Translation
In God’s support. He supports whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, the Merciful
Transliteration
WaAAda Allahi la yukhlifu Allahu waAAdahu walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
Translation
The promise of God—God never breaks His promise, but most people do not know
Transliteration
YaAAlamoona thahiran mina alhayati alddunya wahum AAani alakhirati hum ghafiloona
Translation
They know an outer aspect of the worldly life, but they are heedless of the Hereafter
Transliteration
Awalam yatafakkaroo fee anfusihim ma khalaqa Allahu alssamawati waalarda wama baynahuma illa bialhaqqi waajalin musamman wainna katheeran mina alnnasi biliqai rabbihim lakafiroona
Translation
Do they not reflect within themselves? God did not create the heavens and the earth, and what is between them, except with reason, and for a specific duration. But most people, regarding meeting their Lord, are disbelievers
Transliteration
Awalam yaseeroo fee alardi fayanthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu allatheena min qablihim kanoo ashadda minhum quwwatan waatharoo alarda waAAamarooha akthara mimma AAamarooha wajaathum rusuluhum bialbayyinati fama kana Allahu liyathlimahum walakin kanoo anfusahum yathlimoona
Translation
Have they not travelled the earth and seen how those before them ended up? They were more powerful than them, and they cultivated the land and developed it more than they developed it, and their messengers came to them with clear signs. God would never wrong them, but they used to wrong themselves
Transliteration
Thumma kana AAaqibata allatheena asaoo alssooa an kaththaboo biayati Allahi wakanoo biha yastahzioona
Translation
Then, evil was the end of those who committed evil. That is because they rejected God’s revelations, and used to ridicule them
Transliteration
Allahu yabdao alkhalqa thumma yuAAeeduhu thumma ilayhi turjaAAoona
Translation
God originates creation, and then repeats it. Then to Him you will be returned
Transliteration
Wayawma taqoomu alssaAAatu yublisu almujrimoona
Translation
On the Day when the Hour takes place, the guilty will despair
Transliteration
Walam yakun lahum min shurakaihim shufaAAao wakanoo bishurakaihim kafireena
Translation
They will have no intercessors from among their idols, and they will disown their partners
Transliteration
Wayawma taqoomu alssaAAatu yawmaithin yatafarraqoona
Translation
On the Day when the Hour takes place—on that Day they will separate
Transliteration
Faamma allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati fahum fee rawdatin yuhbaroona
Translation
As for those who believed and did good deeds—they will be delighted in meadows
Transliteration
Waamma allatheena kafaroo wakaththaboo biayatina waliqai alakhirati faolaika fee alAAathabi muhdaroona
Translation
But as for those who disbelieved, and rejected Our signs and the encounter of the Hereafter—those will be hauled into the torment
Transliteration
Fasubhana Allahi heena tumsoona waheena tusbihoona
Translation
So glorify God when you retire at night, and when you rise in the morning
Transliteration
Walahu alhamdu fee alssamawati waalardi waAAashiyyan waheena tuthhiroona
Translation
His is the praise in the heavens and on earth, and in the evening, and when you reach midday
Transliteration
Yukhriju alhayya mina almayyiti wayukhriju almayyita mina alhayyi wayuhyee alarda baAAda mawtiha wakathalika tukhrajoona
Translation
He brings the living out of the dead, and He brings the dead out of the living, and He revives the land after it had died. Likewise you will be resurrected
Transliteration
Wamin ayatihi an khalaqakum min turabin thumma itha antum basharun tantashiroona
Translation
And of His signs is that He created you from dust; and behold, you become humans spreading out
Transliteration
Wamin ayatihi an khalaqa lakum min anfusikum azwajan litaskunoo ilayha wajaAAala baynakum mawaddatan warahmatan inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yatafakkaroona
Translation
And of His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, so that you may find tranquility in them; and He planted love and compassion between you. In this are signs for people who reflect
The foundational Islamic blueprint for marriage: spouses are designed to be sanctuaries of emotional peace ('Sakinah') for one another, built upon mutual affection ('Mawaddah') and enduring mercy ('Rahmah').
Transliteration
Wamin ayatihi khalqu alssamawati waalardi waikhtilafu alsinatikum waalwanikum inna fee thalika laayatin lilAAalimeena
Translation
And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and colors. In this are signs for those who know
Celebrates human diversity as a sacred divine sign: the multitude of human languages, ethnic accents, and skin colors are not badges of division or superiority, but intentional hallmarks of God's limitless creative power.
Transliteration
Wamin ayatihi manamukum biallayli waalnnahari waibtighaokum min fadlihi inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yasmaAAoona
Translation
And of His signs are your sleep by night and day, and your pursuit of His bounty. In this are signs for people who listen
Transliteration
Wamin ayatihi yureekumu albarqa khawfan watamaAAan wayunazzilu mina alssamai maan fayuhyee bihi alarda baAAda mawtiha inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yaAAqiloona
Translation
And of His signs is that He shows you the lightning, causing fear and hope. And He brings down water from the sky, and with it He revives the earth after it was dead. In this are signs for people who understand
Transliteration
Wamin ayatihi an taqooma alssamao waalardu biamrihi thumma itha daAAakum daAAwatan mina alardi itha antum takhrujoona
Translation
And of His signs is that the heaven and the earth stand at His disposal. And then, when He calls you out of the earth, you will emerge at once
Transliteration
Walahu man fee alssamawati waalardi kullun lahu qanitoona
Translation
To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth. All are submissive to Him
Transliteration
Wahuwa allathee yabdao alkhalqa thumma yuAAeeduhu wahuwa ahwanu AAalayhi walahu almathalu alaAAla fee alssamawati waalardi wahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu
Translation
It is He who initiates creation, and then repeats it, something easy for Him. His is the highest attribute, in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, the Wise
Transliteration
Daraba lakum mathalan min anfusikum hal lakum mi mma malakat aymanukum min shurakaa fee ma razaqnakum faantum feehi sawaon takhafoonahum kakheefatikum anfusakum kathalika nufassilu alayati liqawmin yaAAqiloona
Translation
He illustrates an example for you, from your own selves: do you make your servants full partners in the wealth We have given you? Do you revere them as you revere one another? We thus explain the revelations for a people who understand
Transliteration
Bali ittabaAAa allatheena thalamoo ahwaahum bighayri AAilmin faman yahdee man adalla Allahu wama lahum min nasireena
Translation
Yet the wrongdoers follow their desires without knowledge. But who can guide whom God leaves astray? They will have no helpers
Transliteration
Faaqim wajhaka lilddeeni haneefan fitrata Allahi allatee fatara alnnasa AAalayha la tabdeela likhalqi Allahi thalika alddeenu alqayyimu walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
Translation
So devote yourself to the religion of monotheism—the natural instinct God has instilled in mankind. There is no altering God’s creation. This is the true religion, but most people do not know
Introduces the concept of 'Fitrah'—the innate, uncorrupted spiritual and moral compass embedded into every human soul at birth that naturally inclines toward monotheism and justice unless distorted by environment.
Transliteration
Muneebeena ilayhi waittaqoohu waaqeemoo alssalata wala takoonoo mina almushrikeena
Translation
Turning towards Him—and be conscious of Him, and perform the prayer, and do not be of the idolaters
Transliteration
Mina allatheena farraqoo deenahum wakanoo shiyaAAan kullu hizbin bima ladayhim farihoona
Translation
Of those who divided their religion, and became sects; each faction pleased with what they have
Transliteration
Waitha massa alnnasa durrun daAAaw rabbahum muneebeena ilayhi thumma itha athaqahum minhu rahmatan itha fareequn minhum birabbihim yushrikoona
Translation
When affliction touches the people, they call on their Lord, turning to Him in repentance. But then, when He gives them a taste of His mercy, some of them attribute partners to their Lord
Transliteration
Liyakfuroo bima ataynahum fatamattaAAoo fasawfa taAAlamoona
Translation
To show ingratitude for what We have given them. Indulge yourselves—you will surely know
Transliteration
Am anzalna AAalayhim sultanan fahuwa yatakallamu bima kanoo bihi yushrikoona
Translation
Have We sent down to them any authority, which speaks in support of their idols
Transliteration
Waitha athaqna alnnasa rahmatan farihoo biha wain tusibhum sayyiatun bima qaddamat aydeehim itha hum yaqnatoona
Translation
When We give people a taste of mercy, they rejoice in it. But when adversity befalls them, because of what their hands have perpetrated, they begin to despair
Transliteration
Awalam yaraw anna Allaha yabsutu alrrizqa liman yashao wayaqdiru inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yuminoona
Translation
Do they not see that God expands the provision for whomever He wills, or restricts it? Surely in this are signs for people who believe
Transliteration
Faati tha alqurba haqqahu waalmiskeena waibna alssabeeli thalika khayrun lillatheena yureedoona wajha Allahi waolaika humu almuflihoona
Translation
So give the relative his rights, and the destitute, and the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek God’s presence. Those are the prosperous
Transliteration
Wama ataytum min riban liyarbuwa fee amwali alnnasi fala yarboo AAinda Allahi wama ataytum min zakatin tureedoona wajha Allahi faolaika humu almudAAifoona
Translation
The usury you practice, seeking thereby to multiply people’s wealth, will not multiply with God. But what you give in charity, desiring God’s approval—these are the multipliers
Contrasts the economics of usury (Riba) with charity (Zakat): while interest appears outwardly to swell capital through exploitation, it is spiritually and socially barren, whereas wealth given in charity carries compound divine blessing and social circulation.
Transliteration
Allahu allathee khalaqakum thumma razaqakum thumma yumeetukum thumma yuhyeekum hal min shurakaikum man yafAAalu min thalikum min shayin subhanahu wataAAala AAamma yushrikoona
Translation
God is He who created you, then provides for you, then makes you die, then brings you back to life. Can any of your idols do any of that? Glorified is He, and Exalted above what they associate
Transliteration
Thahara alfasadu fee albarri waalbahri bima kasabat aydee alnnasi liyutheeqahum baAAda allathee AAamiloo laAAallahum yarjiAAoona
Translation
Corruption has appeared on land and sea, because of what people’s hands have earned, in order to make them taste some of what they have done, so that they might return
A prophetic warning on human-induced ecological and moral devastation: pollution, resource destruction, and societal corruption in the land and sea are direct consequences of human greed, allowing humans to taste the bitter consequences of their own actions so they might course-correct.
Transliteration
Qul seeroo fee alardi faonthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu allatheena min qablu kana aktharuhum mushrikeena
Translation
Say, “Roam the earth, and observe the fate of those who came before. Most of them were idolaters.”
Transliteration
Faaqim wajhaka lilddeeni alqayyimi min qabli an yatiya yawmun la maradda lahu mina Allahi yawmaithin yassaddaAAoona
Translation
So devote yourself to the upright religion, before there comes from God a Day that cannot be averted. On that Day, they will be shocked
Transliteration
Man kafara faAAalayhi kufruhu waman AAamila salihan falianfusihim yamhadoona
Translation
Whoever disbelieves, upon him falls his disbelief. And whoever acts righteously—they are preparing for themselves
Transliteration
Liyajziya allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati min fadlihi innahu la yuhibbu alkafireena
Translation
So that He may reward those who have believed and done the righteous deeds out of His bounty. Indeed, He does not love the ungrateful
Transliteration
Wamin ayatihi an yursila alrriyaha mubashshiratin waliyutheeqakum min rahmatihi walitajriya alfulku biamrihi walitabtaghoo min fadlihi walaAAallakum tashkuroona
Translation
And of His signs is that He sends the winds bearing good news, to give you a taste of His mercy, and so that the ships may sail by His command, and so that you may seek of His bounty, and so that you may give thanks
Transliteration
Walaqad arsalna min qablika rusulan ila qawmihim fajaoohum bialbayyinati faintaqamna mina allatheena ajramoo wakana haqqan AAalayna nasru almumineena
Translation
Before you, We sent messengers to their people. They came to them with clear proofs. Then We took revenge on those who sinned. It is incumbent on Us to help the believers
Transliteration
Allahu allathee yursilu alrriyaha fatutheeru sahaban fayabsutuhu fee alssamai kayfa yashao wayajAAaluhu kisafan fatara alwadqa yakhruju min khilalihi faitha asaba bihi man yashao min AAibadihi itha hum yastabshiroona
Translation
God is He who sends the winds. They stir up clouds. Then He spreads them in the sky as He wills. And He breaks them apart. Then you see rain drops issuing from their midst. Then, when He makes it fall upon whom He wills of His servants, behold, they rejoice
Accurately details the meteorological mechanics of rain: winds carry moisture and disperse water droplets across atmospheric pressure layers, clustering clouds into dense formations until precipitation breaks through.
Transliteration
Wain kanoo min qabli an yunazzala AAalayhim min qablihi lamubliseena
Translation
Although they were before this—before it was sent down upon them—in despair
Transliteration
Faonthur ila athari rahmati Allahi kayfa yuhyee alarda baAAda mawtiha inna thalika lamuhyee almawta wahuwa AAala kulli shayin qadeerun
Translation
So observe the effects of God’s mercy—how He revives the earth after it was dead. Indeed, He is the Reviver of the dead. He is Capable of everything
Transliteration
Walain arsalna reehan faraawhu musfarran lathalloo min baAAdihi yakfuroona
Translation
But if We send a wind, and they see it turning things yellow, they would continue thereafter to disbelieve
Transliteration
Fainnaka la tusmiAAu almawta wala tusmiAAu alssumma aldduAAaa itha wallaw mudbireena
Translation
You cannot make the dead hear, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they turn away
Transliteration
Wama anta bihadi alAAumyi AAan dalalatihim in tusmiAAu illa man yuminu biayatina fahum muslimoona
Translation
Nor can you guide the blind out of their error. You can make hear only those who believe in Our signs, and so have submitted
Transliteration
Allahu allathee khalaqakum min daAAfin thumma jaAAala min baAAdi daAAfin quwwatan thumma jaAAala min baAAdi quwwatin daAAfan washaybatan yakhluqu ma yashao wahuwa alAAaleemu alqadeeru
Translation
God is He Who created you weak, then after weakness gave you strength, then after strength gave you weakness and gray hair. He creates whatever He wills. He is the Omniscient, the Omnipotent
Transliteration
Wayawma taqoomu alssaAAatu yuqsimu almujrimoona ma labithoo ghayra saAAatin kathalika kanoo yufakoona
Translation
On the Day when the Hour takes place, the sinners will swear they had stayed but an hour. Thus they were deluded
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena ootoo alAAilma waaleemana laqad labithtum fee kitabi Allahi ila yawmi albaAAthi fahatha yawmu albaAAthi walakinnakum kuntum la taAAlamoona
Translation
But those endowed with knowledge and faith will say, “You remained in God’s Book until the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not know.”
Transliteration
Fayawmaithin la yanfaAAu allatheena thalamoo maAAthiratuhum wala hum yustaAAtaboona
Translation
On that Day, the sinners’ excuses will not benefit them, nor will they be excused
Transliteration
Walaqad darabna lilnnasi fee hatha alqurani min kulli mathalin walain jitahum biayatin layaqoolanna allatheena kafaroo in antum illa mubtiloona
Translation
We have cited in this Quran for the people every sort of parable. But even if you bring them a miracle, those who disbelieve will say, “You are nothing but fakers.”
Transliteration
Kathalika yatbaAAu Allahu AAala quloobi allatheena la yaAAlamoona
Translation
God thus seals the hearts of those who do not know
Transliteration
Faisbir inna waAAda Allahi haqqun wala yastakhiffannaka allatheena la yooqinoona
Translation
So be patient. The promise of God is true. And do not let those who lack certainty belittle you