30. Ar-Rum

Alif, Lām, Meem.1

Alif Lam Mim

L.M. Allah Aleem the Knower, Hakeem the Wise, narrates that

The Byzantines have been defeated1

The Romans have been defeated

The Romans have been defeated

In the nearest land.1 But they, after their defeat, will overcome

in a nearby land. They will reverse their defeat with a victory

In the lands close-by - yet it is they who despite this defeat of theirs, shall be victorious

Within three to nine years. To Allāh belongs the command [i.e., decree] before and after. And that day the believers will rejoice

within a few years: [for] with God rests all power of decision, first and last. On that day the believers too will have cause to rejoice

Within ten years! For with Allah is the Command in the Past and in the Future. And on that day the believers too will have cause to rejoice

In the victory of Allāh.1 He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.

with the help of God. He helps whom He pleases: He is the Mighty, and the Merciful

By Allah's Help - for, He gives success to people according to His Laws. He is the Mighty, the Merciful

[It is] the promise of Allāh. Allāh does not fail in His promise, but most of the people do not know.

[This is] God's promise. Never does God fail to fulfil His promise -- but most people do not know this

This is Allah's Promise. Never does Allah fail to fulfill His Promise. But most people know not (that His Laws never change)

They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are unaware.

they only know the outward appearance of the life of this world, and they are neglectful of the Hereafter

They know and care only about the apparent instant gratifications of the life of this world, and remain oblivious to the Eternal life to come

Do they not contemplate within themselves?1 Allāh 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 meeting with their Lord, are disbelievers.

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

Have they never learned to think for their own "Self"? Allah has not created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them without Truth and for a Purpose and an appointed time. Yet, verily, a great many of people deny that they are destined to meet their Lord

Have they not traveled through the earth and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed [or excavated] the earth and built it up more than they [i.e., the Makkans] have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidences. And Allāh would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves.

Have they not travelled through the land and seen what end their predecessors met? They were mightier than them: they cultivated the earth more and built more upon it than these have ever built. Their own messengers also came to them with clear signs: God did not wrong them; they wronged themselves

(Reflecting on your own existence, the Universe, and on history can show you the Truth.) Have they not, then, traveled in the land and seen what happened in the end to those who lived before them? They were more powerful than these are, and they left a stronger impact on the earth, and built it up better than these are doing. And to them came their Messengers with all evidence of the Truth. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but it was they who used to wrong their own "Self". (

Then the end of those who did evil was the worst [consequence] because they denied the signs of Allāh and used to ridicule them.

Then the end of those who committed evil was evil, for they belied the signs of God, and they derided them

And once again - miserable is the end of those who deal with others unfairly, and since they denied Allah's Messages and ridiculed them (they failed to reform)

Allāh begins creation; then He will repeat it; then to Him you will be returned.

God originates the creation, and shall repeat it, then to Him you shall be returned

(All this happens to nations according to Divine Laws that are operational in the entire Universe.) He initiates the creation, and then repeats. Ultimately, all of you will be returned to Him

And the Day the Hour appears the criminals will be in despair.

On the Day the Hour arrives, the guilty will be struck dumb with despair

And on the Day when the Hour will come those who have committed crimes against humanity, will be struck with despair

And there will not be for them among their [alleged] partners any intercessors, and they will [then] be disbelievers in their partners.

and they will have no intercessors among those partners they ascribed to God. They will deny these partners

Their 'idols' will not be able to stand up for them, rather, they will reject one another

And the Day the Hour appears - that Day they will become separated.

When the Last Hour dawns -- on that Day they will be sorted out

On the Day the Hour comes, they will part company. And people will be sorted out

And as for those who had believed and done righteous deeds, they will be in a garden [of Paradise], delighted.

those who believed and did good deeds will rejoice in a Garden

As for those who attained belief and fulfilled the needs of others, they will be made happy in a Meadow of delight. (4)

But as for those who disbelieved and denied Our verses and the meeting of the Hereafter, those will be brought into the punishment [to remain].

and as for those who denied the truth and belied Our signs and the meeting in the Hereafter -- they shall be brought to the torment

Whereas those who rejected Our Messages in word or denied them in action, and denied the inevitable life to come, such will be given over to doom

So exalted is Allāh when you reach the evening and when you reach the morning.

So glorify God in the evening and in the morning

Extol, then, Allah's limitless Glory evening and morning. (Find eminence through His Reminder in the twilight and dawn of your lives, whether individuals or nations. (21:10), (23:71), (2)

And to Him is [due all] praise throughout the heavens and the earth. And [exalted is He] at night and when you are at noon.

and praise be to Him in the heavens and on the earth, and glorify Him in the late afternoon, and at midday

Seeing that the heavens and the earth bear an open testimony that all Praise is due to Him, whether you observe them in the darkness of the night or in full blast of the daylight

He brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living and brings to life the earth after its lifelessness. And thus will you be brought out.1

He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. He gives life to the earth after its death, and you shall be raised to life in the same way

He it is Who brings forth the living out of the dead and brings forth the dead out of the living. And gives life to the earth after it had been lifeless. And thus it is - that you will be brought forth. (And thus can His Guidance revive nations)

And of His signs is that He created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing [throughout the earth].

One of His signs is that He created you from dust and, behold, you became human beings and multiplied yourselves throughout the earth

And among His Signs it is that He created you out of dust - and then, behold, you become human beings ranging widely. (6:2), (6:99), (7:11), (15:26), (21:30), (2)

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.

Another of His signs is that He created for you from among yourselves spouses, so that you might find repose in them, and He created between you affection and kindness. Truly there are signs in this for people who reflect

And among His Signs is this: He created for you mates from yourselves, so that you might find comfort in them. And He ordained between you love and kindness. In this, behold, are Signs for people who think. (AZWAJ = Husband + Wife, that are mates to, and complement each other towards fulfillment of each other's personality)

And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.

Another of His signs is that He created the heavens and earth, and the diversity of your languages and colours. There truly are signs in this for those who know

And of His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colors. Herein, behold, are Signs for those who make best use of what they learn

And of His signs is your sleep by night and day and your seeking of His bounty. Indeed in that are signs for a people who listen.

Among His signs are your sleep, at night or in daytime, and your seeking His bounty. There truly are signs in this for people who hear

And among His Signs is your sleeping during the night or the day, and your quest of His Bounty. Herein indeed are Signs for people who hear and listen

And of His signs is [that] He shows you the lightning [causing] fear and aspiration, and He sends down rain from the sky by which He brings to life the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed in that are signs for a people who use reason.

Among His signs is this: He shows you the lightning, giving rise to [both] fear and hope, and sends down water from the sky, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless: in this, behold, there are signs indeed for people who use their reason

And among His Signs is this: He displays before you the lightning, for a fear and for hope, and sends down water from the height, giving life to the earth after it had been lifeless. Herein, behold, are Signs for people who use their intellect

And of His signs is that the heaven and earth stand [i.e., remain] by His command. Then when He calls you with a [single] call from the earth, immediately you will come forth.

Another of His signs is this: the heavens and the earth stand firm by His command and afterwards when He calls you, behold, from the earth you will come forth

And among His Signs is this: The Sky and the Earth stand by His Command. In the end, when He will call you forth with a single call, behold, you will emerge from the earth

And to Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and earth. All are to Him devoutly obedient.

All those in the heavens and on the earth belong to Him. All are obedient to Him

For, unto Him belongs every being in the heavens and the earth. All are obedient to Him

And it is He who begins creation; then He repeats it, and that is [even] easier for Him. To Him belongs the highest description [i.e., attribute] in the heavens and earth. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

He is the One who originates creation, then repeats it, and it is very easy for Him. His is the most exalted state in the heavens and on the earth; He is the Mighty, the Wise One

And He it is Who initiates creation in the first instance, and then brings it forth anew, and it is most easy for Him. His is the Sublime Similitude in the heavens and in the earth. ((30:11). Light of the heavens and the earth He is (24:35)). He is the Mighty, the Wise

He presents to you an example from yourselves. Do you have among those whom your right hands possess [i.e., slaves] any partners in what We have provided for you so that you are equal therein [and] would fear them as your fear of one another [within a partnership]?1 Thus do We detail the verses for a people who use reason.

He sets forth for you an example taken from your own lives. Do you make your servants full partners with an equal share in the wealth We have bestowed upon you? Do you fear them as you fear each other? In this way We explain the signs to people who use their reason

He gives you an example from your own society. Would you agree to make your employees equal partners in the provision We have bestowed upon you? Are you as mindful of them as you are mindful of yourselves? (So do you conceive of a 'discriminating' God!) Thus do We explain Our Messages for people who use their intellect

But those who wrong follow their [own] desires without knowledge. Then who can guide one whom Allāh has sent astray? And for them there are no helpers.

And still those who are unjust follow their own desires without having any knowledge. Then who can guide those whom God has let go astray? There shall be none to help them

But nay, the transgressors follow their own opinions without knowledge. But who can guide him whom Allah has let go astray for violating His Laws of Guidance (4:88)? For such there are no helpers

So direct your face [i.e., self] toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fiṭrah1 of Allāh upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allāh.2 That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

Devote yourself single-mindedly to the Religion. And follow the nature [constitution] as made by God, that nature in which He has created mankind. There is no altering the creation of God. That is the right religion. But most people do not realize it

Therefore, set your purpose for the Upright System of Life. That resonates with Allah's Law of Origination (of the Universe) including the origination of mankind. Allah's Law of and for His Creation is unchangeable and, therefore, trustworthy. This Universal System is Perfect, but most people know not. (Allah has initiated the Universe with a Sublime Plan wherein all things are committed to His Law, and mankind being a part of that Plan, must live by His Law)

[Adhere to it], turning in repentance to Him, and fear Him and establish prayer and do not be of those who associate others with Allāh

Turn to Him and fear Him, and be steadfast in prayer, and do not be one of those who associate partners with God

Turn unto Him alone then, and be mindful of Him, and establish the Divine System and be not of the MUSHRIKEEN who ascribe authorities along with Him

[Or] of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has.1

those who split up their religion and became divided into sects; each one exulting in what they have

The MUSHRIKEEN who split up their religion, and become sects - each sect delighting in whatever beliefs they have. ((3:104), (6:160), (23:53), (42:13). Sectarianism is invariably based upon taking humans as 'authorities

And when adversity touches the people, they call upon their Lord, turning in repentance to Him. Then when He lets them taste mercy from Him, at once a party of them associate others with their Lord,

When an affliction befalls men, they cry out to their Lord, turning to Him in repentance; but then, when He has made them taste His mercy, a section of them associate partners with their Lord

Now when harm touches people they call unto their Lord, turning to Him alone. But as soon as He lets them taste Grace from Him, behold, some of them revert to worshiping their 'idols

So that they will deny what We have granted them.1 Then enjoy yourselves, for you are going to know.

and are ungrateful for what We have given them. So enjoy yourselves for a while, but soon you will come to know

This is how they show ingratitude for the Guidance We have given them. Enjoy yourselves awhile, but soon you will come to know

Or have We sent down to them an authority [i.e., a proof or scripture], and it speaks of what they have been associating with Him?

Have We sent down to them any authority which speaks in favour of what they associate with Him

Have We ever sent down to them any authority that tells them to commit SHIRK (associate others with God)

And when We let the people taste mercy, they rejoice therein, but if evil afflicts them for what their hands have put forth, immediately they despair.

When We give mankind a taste of Our blessing, they rejoice therein: but if they encounter tribulation because of their own actions -- they fall into despair

And thus it is: When We let people taste Grace they are quick to rejoice therein. But when adversity befalls them as a result of their own works - behold, they are in despair! (Constancy in personality is attainable only by living upright)

Do they not see that Allāh extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.

Do they not see that God gives abundantly to whoever He pleases, and sparingly to whoever He pleases? In that truly there are signs for those who believe

Have they not seen that Allah enlarges the provision on whatever nation it is, according to His Law, and restricts it likewise? Behold, herein indeed are Signs for nations who will believe in the Divine Laws

So give the relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveler. That is best for those who desire the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh, and it is they who will be the successful.

So give the near relative, the needy, and the wayfarer their due -- that is best for those who seek God's pleasure: such men are the ones who will surely prosper

Hence, give to the relative his God-given Right, and to the needy, and whose business has stalled, and who has lost his job, and whose hard-earned income is insufficient to meet the basic needs, and the homeless son of the street, the needy traveler and the one who has traveled to you for help. This is best for those who seek Allah's Approval, for, it is they who are truly successful. (The Divinely ordained Economic Order will ensure equity and prosperity for all)

And whatever you give for interest [i.e., advantage] to increase within the wealth of people1 will not increase with Allāh. But what you give in zakāh,2 desiring the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh - those are the multipliers.3

Whatever you lend out in usury to gain in value through other people's wealth will not increase in God's eyes, but whatever you give in alms in your desire for God's pleasure will be multiplied

And the wealth you give in usury in order that it may increase on other people's money has no increase with Allah. But that you give in charity, seeking Allah's Approval, these are the ones who will have their return multiplied. (2:275-276), (

Allāh is the one who created you, then provided for you, then will cause you to die, and then will give you life. Are there any of your "partners" who does anything of that? Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.

God is He who created you, then provides for you, then will cause you to die and then bring you back to life. Can any of your "partners" do any one of these things? Glory be to Him and exalted be He above anything they associate with Him

Allah is He Who has created you and then has provided you with sustenance, and then will cause you to die, and then will bring you to life again. Are there any of your 'partners' who can do any single one of these things? Glorious is He, and Sublimely Exalted Above the 'partners' they associate with Him

Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He [i.e., Allāh] may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].

Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of the evil which men's hands have done: and so He will make them taste the fruit of some of their doings, so that they may turn back from evil

Rampant corruption and disorder have appeared in the land and in the sea because of what people keep doing. He will let them taste some of their doings, so that they might return to the Right Path

Say, [O Muḥammad], "Travel through the land and observe how was the end of those before. Most of them were associators [of others with Allāh].

Say, "Journey through the land, and see how those before you met their end -- most of them, ascribed partners with God

Say, "Travel in the land and notice the outcome of nations before you. Most of them worshiped idols in various forms (and ran man-made systems)

So direct your face [i.e., self] toward the correct religion before a Day comes from Allāh of which there is no repelling. That Day, they will be divided.1

[Prophet], set your face to the right religion, before that Day comes from God which cannot be averted. On that Day, mankind will be parted in two

Set your purpose resolutely for the Perfect Religion, before the Inevitable Day comes from Allah. On that Day people will be in two groups

Whoever disbelieves - upon him is [the consequence of] his disbelief. And whoever does righteousness - they are for themselves preparing,

Those who rejected the truth will bear the burden of that rejection, and those who did good deeds will have made good provision for themselves

Whoever rejects the Truth will suffer from that rejection, whereas all who do constructive deeds, will make goodly provision for themselves

That He may reward those who have believed and done righteous deeds out of His bounty. Indeed, He does not like the disbelievers.

For then He will reward out of His bounty those who believe and do good deeds; He does not love those who reject the truth

That He may reward out of His Bounty, those who accept the Message, and work to help others. Verily, He does not love those who refuse to acknowledge the Truth

And of His signs is that He sends the winds as bringers of good tidings and to let you taste His mercy [i.e., rain] and so the ships may sail at His command and so you may seek of His bounty, and perhaps you will be grateful.

Among His signs is this: He sends out the winds bearing good news so that He may make you taste His mercy, and ships sail at His command, so that you may seek His bounty, and be grateful

And of His Signs is this: He sends forth the winds that bear glad tiding, so that He might give you a taste of His Grace. And that ships might sail at His Command and so that you might go about seeking His Bounty, and that you might have cause to be grateful

And We have already sent messengers before you to their peoples, and they came to them with clear evidences; then We took retribution from those who committed crimes, and incumbent upon Us was support1 of the believers.

Surely, We sent messengers before you to their own people, and they brought them clear signs. Then We took vengeance on the guilty. It was certainly Our duty to help the believers

And indeed, We did send Messengers before you to their respective people - and they brought them clear evidence of the Truth. And then, We (Our Law of Requital) inflicted Our retribution on those who stole the fruit of others' labor and violated human rights. And We have made it incumbent upon Us to help the believers

It is Allāh who sends the winds, and they stir the clouds and spread them in the sky however He wills, and He makes them fragments so you see the rain emerge from within them. And when He causes it to fall upon whom He wills of His servants, immediately they rejoice

It is God who sends out the winds so that they raise the clouds. Then He spreads them in the sky as He wills and places them layer upon layer and you see the rain issuing forth from their midst. When He causes it to fall on whichever of His servants He pleases, behold! they rejoice

(Divine Guidance is a blessing for humanity just as) it is Allah Who sends forth the winds that raise clouds, and then spreads them along the high atmosphere according to His Laws. And causes them to pile up and then break and you see the rain pouring down from within them. And when He makes it to fall on His servants by His Laws, behold, they rejoice

Although they were, before it was sent down upon them - before that, in despair.

though before that, before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair

Even though before that, before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair

So observe the effects of the mercy of Allāh - how He gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed, that [same one] will give life to the dead, and He is over all things competent.

Look, therefore, at the signs of God's mercy; how He resurrects the earth after its death. Truly, the same God will resurrect the dead; for He has power over all things

Behold then these Signs of Allah's Grace - how He revives the earth after it had been lifeless. Verily, He is the Reviver of the Dead, and He is the Appointer of due measure of all things. (Similarly, His Guidance can revive individuals and nations)

But if We should send a [bad] wind and they saw [their crops] turned yellow, they would remain thereafter disbelievers.1

Yet if We send a wind and they see their harvest turn yellow, they will then begin to deny [Our favours]

But thus it is: if We send a wind and they behold it yellow (sand-storm), verily, they still continue in rejection of the Truth (that all things in the Universe take place according to Divine Laws)

So indeed, you will not make the dead hear, nor will you make the deaf hear the call when they turn their backs, retreating.

You [Prophet] cannot make the dead hear and you cannot make the deaf hear your call when they turn their backs and leave

And verily, you cannot make the dead to hear, nor can you make the deaf of heart to hear the call when they turn their backs and go away

And you cannot guide the blind away from their error. You will only make hear those who believe in Our verses so they are Muslims [in submission to Allāh].

just as you cannot lead the blind [of heart] out of their error, you cannot make anyone hear your call save those who are willing to believe in Our revelations, and thus surrender themselves to Us and are submissive to Our will

Nor can you bring the blind of heart out of their straying. You can make none to hear except those who believe in Our Messages (using their Vision) and are willing to live in submission to God

Allāh is the one who created you from weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and white hair. He creates what He wills, and He is the Knowing, the Competent.

God is the One who has created you in a state of weakness; then He has granted you strength following [your] weakness; later on He has given you infirmity and grey hairs in place of strength. He creates whatever He wishes; He is the All Knowing and All Powerful

It is Allah who creates you weak (as infants), then gives you after the weak state strength, then substitutes after the strength weakness and gray hair. All this happens according to His Laws of Creation. And He is the Knower, the Able

And the Day the Hour appears the criminals will swear they had remained but an hour. Thus they were deluded.

On the Day the Last Hour arrives, the evil-doers will swear they have not even tarried for an hour, they have always been deluded

(Since your life is short, your time is precious.) On the Day when the Hour rises, the guilty will swear that they lived in this world no more than an hour, (and that they didn't have time to reform). In fact they were wandering aimlessly through life

But those who were given knowledge and faith will say, "You remained the extent of Allāh's decree until the Day of Resurrection, and this is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not used to know."1

but those endowed with knowledge and faith will say, "Indeed, you did tarry, as God ordained, till the Day of Resurrection, and this is the Day of Resurrection: but you were not aware of it

But those who have been endowed with knowledge and conviction will say, "Indeed you did last within Allah's decree, until the Resurrection Day. (Your "Self" never died). Now, this is the Resurrection Day that you never acknowledged

So that Day, their excuse will not benefit those who wronged, nor will they be asked to appease [Allāh].

So on that Day their pleas shall be of no avail, nor will they be allowed to make amends

And so on that Day no apologies of the wrongdoers will avail them, nor will they be allowed to make amends

And We have certainly presented to the people in this Qur’ān from every [kind of] example. But, [O Muḥammad], if you should bring them a sign, the disbelievers will surely say, "You [believers] are but falsifiers."

Truly, We have set forth for men in this Quran every kind of parable and indeed, if you bring them a sign, those who are bent on denying the truth are sure to say, "You are only making false claims

And verily, We have given numerous examples in the Qur'an for mankind. But even if you came with a miracle, those who are bent on denying would say, "You are only falsifiers

Thus does Allāh seal the hearts of those who do not know.1

In this way God seals the hearts of those who do not [want to] know [the truth]

In this way does Allah seal the hearts of those who wish not to learn

So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allāh is truth. And let them not disquiet you who are not certain [in faith].

so have patience [O Muhammad]! God's promise is true; let not those who will not be convinced make you discouraged

Remain then, steadfast and remember that Allah's Promise is always True. So let not those who have no conviction disturb your mind