The Romans
Ar-Rûm
الرُّوم
LEARNING POINTS
This surah teaches the believers that victory comes from Allah.
Allah has blessed us with so many things that we should be grateful for.
The fact that we come from different backgrounds is a blessing from Allah.
Even though Allah has given us a lot of favours, many people fail to give Him thanks.
The idol-worshippers are criticized for making their false gods equal to Allah.
The Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions are told to always be patient and strong in faith.
The wicked will realize on Judgment Day that life in this world is very short.
SIDE STORY
The world's two biggest powers in the early 7th century were the Roman and Persian Empires. When they went to war in the year 614 CE, the Romans were terribly defeated. The Makkans were very happy because the Roman Christians were crushed by the Persians, who were idol-worshippers like themselves. The Muslims were sad because the Romans had a holy book and believed in God.
Soon, verses 1-5 of this surah were revealed, saying that the Romans would defeat their Persian enemies in 3-9 years. Eight years later, the Romans won an important battle against the Persians on the same day that the Muslims defeated the Makkans at the Battle of Badr. {Recorded by Imam Ibn Kathir, Imam Al-Qurtubi, & Imam At-Tabari}
WORDS OF WISDOM
Here are some interesting facts about verses 2-4: The Roman defeat was so bad that no one expected them to ever win again, not in a million years. Verse 4 says that the Romans would win in 3-9 years.
According to verse 4, when the Roman Christians beat the Persian idol-worshippers, the Muslims would be happy too because they would defeat the Makkan idol-worshippers on the same day. The Dead Sea area (where the battle between the Romans and Persians took place) is described in verse 3 as 'adna al-ard' (ادنی الارض) which means 'the closest land (to Arabia).' In Arabic, the word 'adna' can also mean 'lowest point.' According to NASA, "The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth at 418 meters below sea level."
Someone may ask, "If Allah knew that the Romans were going to win after 8 years, why did He say 3-9 years?" Allah didn't say 8 years simply because training and preparing for victory was going to take time—it didn't just happen in the 8th year. When the Romans won after 8 years, it opened the door for total victory.
SIDE STORY
When verses 1-5 of this surah were revealed, Abu Bakr (R.A.) was very confident that the Romans would win as the Quran says. When the Makkan idol-worshippers challenged him to bet on it, he agreed. Betting was not haram at that time. They said to him, "3-9 years is a long period. Let's make it 6. So, if the Romans win in 6 years, you win. If they don't, you lose." When the 6 years passed with no Roman victory, Abu Bakr (R.A.) had to pay.
The Prophet (ﷺ) told him that the verses said 3-9 years, not 6. He then asked him to extend the period and increase the bet. Two years later, the Persians were crushed by the Romans, and Abu Bakr (R.A.) won the bet. When he brought the money to the Prophet (ﷺ), he (ﷺ) said that betting had been made haram and that money should be given away. {Recorded by Imam Ibn Kathir, Imam Al-Qurtubi, & Imam At-Tirmidhi}
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "If betting is haram, why was it allowed in Makkah?" As we mentioned in the Introduction of this book, the surahs revealed in Makkah focused on building the believers' faith, including the belief in the One True God, Allah's ability to create and bring everyone back to life for judgment, the reward of the believers, the punishment of the deniers, and the horrors of Judgment Day. Once the foundations of the faith were strong and the Muslims moved to Madinah, they were ordered to fast in Ramadan and perform hajj, and certain practices became haram, such as gambling and drinking. According to 'Aishah (R.A.), the Prophet's (ﷺ) wife, if these practices were banned from day one (when people were still taking baby steps in the faith), it would have been very difficult for many to accept Islam. {Recorded by Imam Al-Bukhari}
Now, it's important to understand that a Muslim can only make money by selling something (such as food) or providing a service (such as fixing someone's car). It's haram to get money for nothing, unless it's something like a gift. This is why a Muslim is not allowed to gamble or take interest.
WORDS OF WISDOM
People have always been fascinated by what the future holds. This curiosity can lead us to think too much about tomorrow, which often distracts us from enjoying the present. In some cases, this obsession even causes people to do haram (forbidden) things to try and find out what will happen in the future.
Many people seek out those who claim to see into the future. Some visit palm-readers who say they can tell you your fortune by looking at the lines on your hand. Others put their trust in superstitions, believing that avoiding things like black cats, the number 13, or broken mirrors will keep them safe. To protect themselves from future harm and bring good luck, some people wear charms or amulets. This can be a very personal belief. For instance, the author of this text shared a story about his mother putting an amulet on him when he was a child. When he eventually opened it out of curiosity, he found that it was just a piece of paper with some scribbled letters, an old coin, and some beans. He realized that Allah is the only protector, and the amulet was completely powerless. People also turn to horoscopes, which claim to predict the future based on the planets' positions at the time of their birth. These predictions are usually very general and can apply to almost anyone.
Throughout history, there have been famous 'seers' who pretended to see into the future. One of the most well-known was Nostradamus, a French doctor who died in 1566 CE. He published a book of prophecies, but his predictions were so general that his followers could always find a way to link them to historical events. However, whenever he mentioned specific details like a nation or a year, his prophecies failed completely. For example, he predicted that in July 1999, a 'King of Terror' would come from the sky, causing global destruction, but nothing happened. Similarly, many modern seers (including some in the Muslim world) predicted that 2020 would be an 'awesome year.' Yet, 2020 turned out to be one of the worst years in recent history, with devastating wildfires, a global pandemic, and widespread lockdowns. These events proved how unreliable human predictions can be. Sometimes we might have a strong feeling that something is going to happen, and it does. This can be an inspiration (ilham) from Allah or simply a good guess. But we should never rely on these feelings to predict the future, as only Allah knows the unseen.
WORDS OF WISDOM
As Muslims, we know that nobody knows the future except Allah. Sometimes He revealed some future events to Muhammad (ﷺ) to prove that he was a prophet (72:26-27). Some of these events are mentioned in the Quran and the Sunnah, with specific details, such as names, times, or places. For example, the Romans will win 3-9 years after their terrible defeat (30:1-5).
The Makkan idol-worshippers will be defeated at Badr (54:45).
The Muslims will enter the Holy Mosque in Makkah for 'umrah (48:27).
Abu Lahab and his wife will die as disbelievers (111:1-5).
No one will ever match the style of the Quran (2:23-24).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said that before the end of time, the Arabs (one of the poorest people on earth at his time) would become so rich that they would be competing with each other over who could build the tallest building. (Recorded by Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim) It's easy to understand why the idol-worshippers made fun of the Prophet (ﷺ) when he said something bold like this about the powerless Arabs of his time, who lived in tents. They wouldn't have challenged him if he mentioned the Egyptians, Romans, or Persians, which were rich civilizations known for building big structures. It's interesting that the 'Clock Tower' in Makkah (601 metres high) became the tallest building in the world in 2012. Two years later, the 'Burj Khalifa' (828 metres) was built in Dubai. Shortly after, a very rich businessman in Saudi Arabia announced that he was going to build the 'Kingdom Tower' (now called 'Jeddah Tower'), a taller building (1,000 metres).
He (ﷺ) said, "The Hour will not arrive until Arabia (which is mostly desert) will be forests and rivers the way it used to be." (Recorded by Imam Muslim) According to a recent BBC article, western researchers have revealed that Arabia used to be a 'paradise' with flowing rivers some 160,000 years ago.
He (ﷺ) said that Islam would spread to lands that had been ruled by the two biggest empires of his time (Rome and Persia), such as Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Yemen, and many others. (Recorded by Imam Ahmad & Imam Muslim)
He (ﷺ) visited the battlefield right before the Battle of Badr and showed his companions the exact spot where each of his Makkan enemies would die. 'Umar (R.A.) swore by Allah that none of them missed his spot. (Recorded by Imam Muslim)
Shortly before he (ﷺ) passed away, he told his daughter Fatimah (R.A.) (who was only 27 years old) that she would be the first family member to die after him. She passed away only 6 months after his death. (Recorded by Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim)
FROM DEFEAT TO VICTORY
1Alif-Lam-Mim. 2The Romans have been defeated 3in a nearby land. But after their defeat, they will win. 4within three to nine years. Allah is in control of the whole matter 'before and after victory'. And on that day the believers will be very happy 5for this victory from Allah. He gives victory to whoever He wants. And He is the Almighty, Most Merciful. 6This 'is' the promise of Allah. 'And' Allah never breaks His promise. But most people do not know. 7They 'only' know things about this life, 'but are totally' careless about the Next Life.
الٓمٓ 1غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ 2فِيٓ أَدۡنَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ غَلَبِهِمۡ سَيَغۡلِبُونَ 3فِي بِضۡعِ سِنِينَۗ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ مِن قَبۡلُ وَمِنۢ بَعۡدُۚ وَيَوۡمَئِذٖ يَفۡرَحُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ 4بِنَصۡرِ ٱللَّهِۚ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 5وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِۖ لَا يُخۡلِفُ ٱللَّهُ وَعۡدَهُۥ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 6يَعۡلَمُونَ ظَٰهِرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ هُمۡ غَٰفِلُونَ7
Verse 7: Meaning they know how to do business, how to farm, and how to enjoy themselves. But they do not care about faith and good deeds that lead to Jannah in the Next Life.
WAKE-UP CALL TO THE DISBELIEVERS
8Have they not reflected upon their own existence? Allah only created the heavens and the earth and everything in between for a purpose and a set time. Yet most people reject the meeting with their Lord! 9Have they not travelled throughout the land to see what was the fate of those 'destroyed' before them? They were much stronger; they farmed the land and developed it more than these 'Makkans' ever could. And their messengers came to them with clear proofs. Allah would have never wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves. 10Then the evil people had a horrible end for rejecting and making fun of the signs of Allah.
أَوَ لَمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُواْ فِيٓ أَنفُسِهِمۗ مَّا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَجَلٖ مُّسَمّٗىۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِلِقَآيِٕ رَبِّهِمۡ لَكَٰفِرُونَ 8أَوَ لَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَانُوٓاْ أَشَدَّ مِنۡهُمۡ قُوَّةٗ وَأَثَارُواْ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَعَمَرُوهَآ أَكۡثَرَ مِمَّا عَمَرُوهَا وَجَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِۖ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظۡلِمَهُمۡ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ 9ثُمَّ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔواْ ٱلسُّوٓأَىٰٓ أَن كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَانُواْ بِهَا يَسۡتَهۡزِءُونَ10
THE WICKED ON JUDGMENT DAY
11Allah is the One Who starts the creation, then brings it back to life. And then you will 'all' be returned to Him. 12On the Day the Hour 'of Judgment' will arrive, the wicked will totally lose all hope. 13None of their false gods will speak in their defence, and they will 'completely' reject them.
ٱللَّهُ يَبۡدَؤُاْ ٱلۡخَلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ ثُمَّ إِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ 11وَيَوۡمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يُبۡلِسُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ 12وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُم مِّن شُرَكَآئِهِمۡ شُفَعَٰٓؤُاْ وَكَانُواْ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمۡ كَٰفِرِينَ13
THE BLESSED AND THE DOOMED
14And on the Day the Hour 'of Judgment' will arrive, people will then be split 'into two groups'. 15As for those who believed and did good, they will be very happy in a Garden. 16And as for those who disbelieved and rejected Our signs and the meeting 'with Allah' in the Next Life, they will be trapped in punishment.
وَيَوۡمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يَوۡمَئِذٖ يَتَفَرَّقُونَ 14فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَهُمۡ فِي رَوۡضَةٖ يُحۡبَرُونَ 15وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَلِقَآيِٕ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ فِي ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُحۡضَرُونَ16
KEEPING UP SALAH
17So praise Allah in the evening and in the morning- 18all praise is for Him in the heavens and the earth-as well as in the afternoon, and at noon.
فَسُبۡحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ حِينَ تُمۡسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصۡبِحُونَ 17وَلَهُ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَعَشِيّٗا وَحِينَ تُظۡهِرُونَ18
Verse 18: This verse refers to the times of the 5 daily salahs. The evening refers to Maghrib and 'Isha', the morning refers to Fajr, the afternoon refers to 'Asr, and noon refers to Zuhr.
WORDS OF WISDOM
In verse 19, Allah says that He brings the living out of the dead and the dead out of the living. This could mean that He brings plants out of seeds and brings seeds out of plants. He brings the chicken out of the egg and brings the egg out of the chicken. He brings believers (like Ibrahim (A.S.)) out of disbelievers (like Ibrahim's father) and brings disbelievers (like Nuh's (A.S.) son) out of believers (like Nuh (A.S.)). {Recorded by Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi}
ALLAH'S POWER OVER LIFE AND DEATH
19He brings the living out of the dead and the dead out of the living. And He gives life to the earth after its death. And this is how you too will be brought out 'of the grave'.
يُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡحَيَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمَيِّتِ وَيُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَيِّ وَيُحۡيِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَاۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ تُخۡرَجُونَ19
ALLAH'S SIGNS
20One of His signs is that He created you from dust, then-behold!-your human race has spread over the earth.
وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنۡ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٖ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَنتُم بَشَرٞ تَنتَشِرُونَ20
Verse 20: Meaning your father Adam.
ALLAH'S SIGNS
21And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has put between you love and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.
وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنۡ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَزۡوَٰجٗا لِّتَسۡكُنُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيۡنَكُم مَّوَدَّةٗ وَرَحۡمَةًۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ21
WORDS OF WISDOM
According to verse 22, it is a blessing that we look different, speak different languages, and have different cultures. Imagine if we all ate the same food every day—wouldn't it be so boring? Imagine if we all looked the same—wouldn't it be so confusing? Imagine if we all had the same fingerprints. If one of us robbed a bank, how would they know the thief even if they had cameras all over the bank? Imagine if we all had the same culture—we wouldn't have enjoyed all the amazing cultures the world has to offer. Imagine if we all spoke the same language, translators like me would have been out of business.
ALLAH'S SIGNS
22And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the differences of your languages and colours. Surely in this are signs for those who know.
وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ خَلۡقُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَٰفُ أَلۡسِنَتِكُمۡ وَأَلۡوَٰنِكُمۡۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّلۡعَٰلِمِينَ22
ALLAH'S SIGNS
23And one of His signs is your sleep by night and by day 'for rest' and how you seek His blessings 'in both'. Surely in this are signs for people who listen.
وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ مَنَامُكُم بِٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱبۡتِغَآؤُكُم مِّن فَضۡلِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَسۡمَعُونَ23
ALLAH'S SIGNS
24And one of His signs is that He shows you lightning, inspiring 'you with' hope and fear. And He sends down rain from the sky, giving life to the earth after its death. Surely in this are signs for people who understand.
وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ يُرِيكُمُ ٱلۡبَرۡقَ خَوۡفٗا وَطَمَعٗا وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءٗ فَيُحۡيِۦ بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَآۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَعۡقِلُونَ24
Verse 24: Hope of rain and fear of punishment.
ALLAH'S SIGNS
25And one of His signs is that the heavens and the earth continue to function by His command. Then when He calls you out of the earth just once, you will immediately come out. 26All those in the heavens and the earth belong to Him-they are all under His control. 27And He is the One Who starts the creation, then brings it back to life-which is even easier for Him. The best qualities in the heavens and the earth belong to Him. And He is the Almighty and Wise.
وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَن تَقُومَ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ بِأَمۡرِهِۦۚ ثُمَّ إِذَا دَعَاكُمۡ دَعۡوَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِذَآ أَنتُمۡ تَخۡرُجُونَ 25وَلَهُۥ مَن فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ كُلّٞ لَّهُۥ قَٰنِتُونَ 26وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي يَبۡدَؤُاْ ٱلۡخَلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَهُوَ أَهۡوَنُ عَلَيۡهِۚ وَلَهُ ٱلۡمَثَلُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ27
Verse 26: This is what people think. Otherwise, creating the universe and bringing people back to life are both easy for Allah.
BACKGROUND STORY
The Makkans worshipped idols, making them equal to Allah. So in verses 28-29 below, Allah is asking them, if you don't allow your slaves to be equal to you, how can Allah allow His creation to be equal to Him? If you don't share your wealth with your slaves, how can Allah give a share of His kingdom to those useless idols?
He is the One who created the universe and created people. He blessed them with husbands and wives and children. He takes care of everyone and everything. How can they say He has partners? How can they worship them instead of Him? How can they say He isn't able to bring them back to life?
AN EXAMPLE FOR THE IDOL-WORSHIPPERS
28He gives you an example from your own lives: would you allow some of your slaves to be your equal partners in whatever 'wealth' We have provided for you, keeping them in mind as you do with others who are free like you? This is how We make the signs clear for people who understand. 29In fact, those who do wrong only follow their desires with no knowledge. Who then can guide those Allah has left to stray? They will have no helpers.
ضَرَبَ لَكُم مَّثَلٗا مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡۖ هَل لَّكُم مِّن مَّا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُكُم مِّن شُرَكَآءَ فِي مَا رَزَقۡنَٰكُمۡ فَأَنتُمۡ فِيهِ سَوَآءٞ تَخَافُونَهُمۡ كَخِيفَتِكُمۡ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَعۡقِلُونَ 28بَلِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَهۡوَآءَهُم بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٖۖ فَمَن يَهۡدِي مَنۡ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُۖ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ29
STAY STRONG IN FAITH
30So always keep up your faith, being totally upright 'O Prophet'-the natural Way of Allah which He has created in 'all' people. Let there be no change in this creation of Allah. That is the Upright Way, but most people do not know. 31Always turn to Him 'O believers!', keep Him in mind, and pray 'salah'. And do not be like the idol-worshippers- 32those who have divided their faith and split into groups, each is happy with whatever 'false beliefs' they have.
فَأَقِمۡ وَجۡهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفٗاۚ فِطۡرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِي فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيۡهَاۚ لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِخَلۡقِ ٱللَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 30مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيۡهِ وَٱتَّقُوهُ وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَلَا تَكُونُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ 31مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَهُمۡ وَكَانُواْ شِيَعٗاۖ كُلُّ حِزۡبِۢ بِمَا لَدَيۡهِمۡ فَرِحُونَ32
UNGRATEFUL HUMANS
33When something bad happens to people, they cry out to their Lord, turning to Him 'alone'. But as soon as He gives them a taste of His mercy, right away a group of them makes 'false gods' equal to their Lord, 34becoming ungrateful for whatever 'blessings' We have given them. So enjoy yourselves-you will soon see. 35Or have We sent down to them a proof that confirms whatever 'false gods' they make equal to Him?
وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلنَّاسَ ضُرّٞ دَعَوۡاْ رَبَّهُم مُّنِيبِينَ إِلَيۡهِ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَذَاقَهُم مِّنۡهُ رَحۡمَةً إِذَا فَرِيقٞ مِّنۡهُم بِرَبِّهِمۡ يُشۡرِكُونَ 33لِيَكۡفُرُواْ بِمَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُمۡۚ فَتَمَتَّعُواْ فَسَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَ 34أَمۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَٰنٗا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يُشۡرِكُونَ35
IMPATIENT HUMANS
36If We give people a taste of mercy, they become arrogant 'because' of it. But if something bad happens to them because of what they themselves did, they immediately lose all hope.
وَإِذَآ أَذَقۡنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحۡمَةٗ فَرِحُواْ بِهَاۖ وَإِن تُصِبۡهُمۡ سَيِّئَةُۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتۡ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ إِذَا هُمۡ يَقۡنَطُونَ36
INTEREST VS. CHARITY
37Do they not see that Allah gives generous or limited resources to whoever He wants? Surely in this are signs for people who believe. 38So give your close relatives their right, as well as the poor, and the 'needy' traveller. That is best for those who seek to please Allah. And those will be successful. 39Whatever loans you give, 'only' to grow interest from people's wealth, will not grow with Allah. But whatever charity you give, 'only' seeking to please Allah-those are the ones with multiplied rewards.
أَوَ لَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ 37فََٔاتِ ذَا ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلۡمِسۡكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيۡرٞ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجۡهَ ٱللَّهِۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ 38وَمَآ ءَاتَيۡتُم مِّن رِّبٗا لِّيَرۡبُوَاْ فِيٓ أَمۡوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَرۡبُواْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِۖ وَمَآ ءَاتَيۡتُم مِّن زَكَوٰةٖ تُرِيدُونَ وَجۡهَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُضۡعِفُونَ39
Verse 39: Lit., those who seek the Face of Allah.
ALLAH'S GREAT POWER
40Allah is the One Who created you, then provides for you, then will cause you to die, and then will bring you back to life. Can any of your false gods do any of this? Praised and Highly Honoured is He above whatever 'gods' they make equal to Him!
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكُمۡ ثُمَّ رَزَقَكُمۡ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمۡ ثُمَّ يُحۡيِيكُمۡۖ هَلۡ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَفۡعَلُ مِن ذَٰلِكُم مِّن شَيۡءٖۚ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ40
WORDS OF WISDOM
Typically, the simpler life is, the closer people are to God. The more advanced people become in science and technology, the more they turn their back on God. This explains why life has become very stressful throughout the world, even though we are more advanced than any other generation in human history. While science and technology are very important because they make our life easy, they should be guided by religious values and principles. According to verse 41, corruption has spread everywhere because people have turned away from Allah.
Let's look at some facts: Around 187,000,000 people were killed in the 20th century alone. The future looks terrible for animals as half of the world's species may go extinct by 2100 because of human behavior, including pollution, waste, overhunting, overfishing, climate change, and cutting down forests. Other numbers show that the world has high rates of suicide, drug abuse, hunger, and crime. More people now deny the existence of God and Judgment Day. Speaking of the world's biggest superpower, the U.S., the numbers are really shocking: Although the U.S. makes up only 5% of the world's population, it has 25% of the world's prisoners. The year 2019 saw 1,203,808 violent crimes. 50% of marriages end in divorce.
THE SPREAD OF CORRUPTION
41Corruption has spread on land and sea as a result of what people have done, so that Allah may cause them to taste 'the consequences of some of what they did and maybe they might return 'to the Right Way'. 42Say, 'O Prophet,' "Travel throughout the land and see what was the fate of those 'destroyed' before you'-most of them were idol-worshippers."
ظَهَرَ ٱلۡفَسَادُ فِي ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِي ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِي عَمِلُواْ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ 41قُلۡ سِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلُۚ كَانَ أَكۡثَرُهُم مُّشۡرِكِينَ42
THE WINNERS AND THE LOSERS
43So, always keep up your Upright Faith 'O Prophet', before the coming of a Day from Allah that cannot be stopped. On that Day people will be divided: 44those who disbelieved will carry 'the burden of' their own disbelief; and those who did good will have prepared for themselves 'eternal' homes, 45So that He may 'generously' reward those who believe and do good, as a favour from Him. He truly does not like the disbelievers.
فَأَقِمۡ وَجۡهَكَ لِلدِّينِ ٱلۡقَيِّمِ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَ يَوۡمٞ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِۖ يَوۡمَئِذٖ يَصَّدَّعُونَ 43مَن كَفَرَ فَعَلَيۡهِ كُفۡرُهُۥۖ وَمَنۡ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحٗا فَلِأَنفُسِهِمۡ يَمۡهَدُونَ 44لِيَجۡزِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ45
ALLAH'S SIGNS
46And one of His signs is that He sends the winds, carrying good news 'of rain' so that He may give you a taste of His mercy, and that ships may sail by His orders, and that you may seek His blessings, and maybe you will be grateful.
وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَن يُرۡسِلَ ٱلرِّيَاحَ مُبَشِّرَٰتٖ وَلِيُذِيقَكُم مِّن رَّحۡمَتِهِۦ وَلِتَجۡرِيَ ٱلۡفُلۡكُ بِأَمۡرِهِۦ وَلِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ46
WARNING TO THE DISBELIEVERS
47Surely We sent before you 'O Prophet' messengers, each to their own people, and they came to them with clear proofs. Then We destroyed the wicked. It is Our duty to help the believers.
وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِمۡ فَجَآءُوهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَجۡرَمُواْۖ وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيۡنَا نَصۡرُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ47
ALLAH'S SIGNS
48Allah is the One Who sends the winds, causing clouds to form, which He then spreads out in the sky or piles up as He wants, from which you see rain come out. Then as soon as He causes it to fall on whoever He wants of His servants, right away they become excited, 49even though they had completely lost hope just before it was sent down to them. 50See then the impact of Allah's mercy: how He gives life to the earth after its death! Surely that 'same Creator' can bring the dead back to life. And He has power over all things. 51But if We send a 'harmful' wind and they see their 'crops' turn yellow, they will definitely deny 'past favours' right after.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي يُرۡسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابٗا فَيَبۡسُطُهُۥ فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيۡفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجۡعَلُهُۥ كِسَفٗا فَتَرَى ٱلۡوَدۡقَ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡ خِلَٰلِهِۦۖ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمۡ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ 48وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيۡهِم مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ لَمُبۡلِسِينَ 49فَٱنظُرۡ إِلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِ رَحۡمَتِ ٱللَّهِ كَيۡفَ يُحۡيِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَآۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمُحۡيِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ 50وَلَئِنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا رِيحٗا فَرَأَوۡهُ مُصۡفَرّٗا لَّظَلُّواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ يَكۡفُرُونَ51
WHO CAN BE GUIDED TO THE TRUTH
52So you 'O Prophet' certainly cannot make the dead hear the truth, and you cannot make the deaf hear the call when they turn their backs and walk away. 53And you cannot lead the blind out of their falsehood. You can make no one hear 'the truth' except those who believe in Our revelations, 'fully' submitting 'to Allah'.
فَإِنَّكَ لَا تُسۡمِعُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَلَا تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ ٱلدُّعَآءَ إِذَا وَلَّوۡاْ مُدۡبِرِينَ 52وَمَآ أَنتَ بِهَٰدِ ٱلۡعُمۡيِ عَن ضَلَٰلَتِهِمۡۖ إِن تُسۡمِعُ إِلَّا مَن يُؤۡمِنُ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا فَهُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ53
ALLAH'S POWER TO CREATE
54Allah is the One Who created you in a state of weakness, then developed 'your' weakness into strength, then developed 'your' strength into weakness and old age. He creates whatever He wants. He is One with perfect knowledge and power.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن ضَعۡفٖ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ضَعۡفٖ قُوَّةٗ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قُوَّةٖ ضَعۡفٗا وَشَيۡبَةٗۚ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡقَدِيرُ54
SHORT LIFE
55And on the Day the Hour 'of Judgment' arrives, the wicked will swear that they did not stay 'in this world' more than an hour. In this way they were always distracted 'in the world'. 56But those blessed with knowledge and faith will say 'to them', "You actually stayed-as written by Allah--until the Day of coming back to life. So here is the Day of coming back to life which you denied! But you did not know it was true!" 57So on that Day the excuses of those who did wrong will not benefit them 'at all', and they will not be allowed to apologize 'to Allah'.
وَيَوۡمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يُقۡسِمُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ مَا لَبِثُواْ غَيۡرَ سَاعَةٖۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كَانُواْ يُؤۡفَكُونَ 55وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ وَٱلۡإِيمَٰنَ لَقَدۡ لَبِثۡتُمۡ فِي كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡبَعۡثِۖ فَهَٰذَا يَوۡمُ ٱلۡبَعۡثِ وَلَٰكِنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ 56فَيَوۡمَئِذٖ لَّا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مَعۡذِرَتُهُمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يُسۡتَعۡتَبُونَ57
ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
58We have certainly given every 'kind of' lesson for people in this Quran. And no matter what sign you bring to them 'O Prophet', the disbelievers will definitely say 'to the believers', "You are just a people of falsehood." 59This is how Allah seals the hearts of those unwilling to know 'the truth'. 60So be patient-the promise of Allah is certainly true. And do not be upset by those with no sure faith.
وَلَقَدۡ ضَرَبۡنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٖۚ وَلَئِن جِئۡتَهُم بَِٔايَةٖ لَّيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ إِنۡ أَنتُمۡ إِلَّا مُبۡطِلُونَ 58كَذَٰلِكَ يَطۡبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 59فَٱصۡبِرۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقّٞۖ وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ60