Discover Surah 30: Ar-Rum (The Romans) with clear English translation and insightful commentary. Explore its themes of faith, divine power, the rise and fall of nations, and the ultimate triumph of truth ordained by Allah.
Surah 30: Ar-Rum (The Romans)
Introduction
Surah Ar-Rum is the 30th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. It was revealed in Makkah and contains 60 verses. The Surah is named after Ar-Rum (the Romans), mentioned at the beginning of the chapter. It refers to a historical event in which the Roman Empire suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Persians but later regained victory, just as the Qur’an had predicted.
This Surah is deeply connected to belief in Allah, the Day of Judgment, and the truth of the Qur’an. It highlights how the rise and fall of nations is in Allah’s control, and that His promises are always true. The Surah uses the Romans’ defeat and later victory as a lesson to the disbelievers of Makkah, showing that change is always in Allah’s hands and that truth ultimately triumphs.
It also presents various signs of Allah’s power in creation — like the skies, the earth, the alternation of night and day, and the diversity of languages and colors among people. These signs are reminders of Allah’s wisdom and control over all things.
Surah Ar-Rum encourages believers to stay patient, trust in Allah’s plan, and not be misled by the temporary joys of worldly life. It also emphasizes the importance of turning back to Allah before it is too late, because when the Day of Judgment comes, no one will be able to escape it. 0 0 0
Surah 30: Ar-Rum (The Romans): Text
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1. Alif, Lam, Meem.
2. The Romans have been defeated
3. in a nearby land. But after their defeat, they will soon be victorious
4. within a few years. The decision belongs to Allah, before and after. On that day, the believers will rejoice
5. with the help of Allah. He helps whoever He wills. And He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.
6. This is the promise of Allah — and Allah never breaks His promise. But most people do not know.
7. They know only the outward side of this worldly life, but they are unaware of the Hereafter.
8. Have they not reflected within themselves? Allah did not create the heavens, the earth, and everything between them except with truth and for a set time. Yet many people deny they will meet their Lord.
9. Have they not traveled through the land and seen what happened to those before them? They were stronger than them, cultivated the earth more, and built it up better than these have done. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs. But Allah did not wrong them — rather, they wronged themselves.
10. Then the end of those who did evil was that they rejected the signs of Allah and made fun of them.
11. Allah begins creation, then brings it back again. Then to Him you will all return.
12. On the Day the Hour is established, the guilty will be filled with despair.
19. They will have no partners to intercede for them from those they used to associate with Allah, and they will reject those partners.
14. On the Day the Hour arrives, people will be divided.
15. Those who believed and did good deeds will be in a garden, rejoicing.
16. But those who disbelieved and denied Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter — they will be brought into punishment.
17. So glorify Allah in the evening and in the morning.
18. All praise belongs to Him in the heavens and the earth, in the afternoon and when you reach midday.
19. He brings the living out of the dead, and the dead out of the living, and gives life to the earth after its death. In the same way, you will be brought back to life.
20. Among His signs is that He created you from dust, and then — suddenly — you became human beings spreading across the earth.
21. And among His signs is that He created for you, from yourselves, spouses so that you may find peace with them. And He placed love and mercy between you. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.
22. And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and colors. Surely in this are signs for those who have knowledge.
23. And among His signs is your sleep by night and by day, and your seeking of His bounty. Surely in this are signs for people who listen.
24. And among His signs is that He shows you lightning, both as fear and hope, and that He sends down rain from the sky and gives life to the earth after it has died. Surely in this are signs for people who understand.
25. And among His signs is that the heavens and the earth remain firm by His command. Then when He calls you out of the earth just once, you will come out at once.
26. To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth. All are obedient to Him.
27. He is the One who begins the creation and then repeats it. That is even easier for Him. His is the highest example in the heavens and the earth. And He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.
28. He sets forth a parable for you from your own lives: Do you have among those whom your right hands possess (your slaves) any partners in the wealth We have given you — such that you are equal in it, and you fear them as you fear one another? That’s how We explain the signs for people who understand.
29. But those who do wrong follow their desires without knowledge. Who can guide those whom Allah has left to go astray? They will have no helpers.
30. So set your face firmly toward the true faith — the natural way of Allah upon which He created mankind. There is no change in the creation of Allah. That is the straight religion, but most people do not know.
31. Turn to Him alone, and be mindful of Him, and establish prayer. And do not be among those who associate others with Allah.
32. Those who divided their religion and broke up into sects — each group rejoicing in what it has.
33. When harm touches people, they call upon their Lord, turning to Him sincerely. But when He gives them a taste of His mercy, a group of them begins to associate others with their Lord,
34. as if to deny what We have given them. So enjoy yourselves for a while, but you will soon know.
35. Or have We sent them down any authority that speaks of what they associate with Allah?
36. When We give people a taste of mercy, they rejoice in it. But when something bad happens to them because of what their hands have done, they immediately fall into despair.
37. Have they not seen that Allah extends provision to whoever He wills and restricts it as He wills? Surely in that are signs for people who believe.
38. So give your relatives their due, as well as the poor and the traveler. That is best for those who seek the pleasure of Allah, and it is they who will be successful.
39. Whatever you give in interest to increase your wealth through others’ money will not increase with Allah. But whatever you give in charity, seeking Allah’s pleasure — it is they who will be rewarded many times over.
40. Allah is the One who created you, then gave you provision, then will cause you to die, and then bring you back to life. Is there any of your partners who can do any of this? Glorified and far above is He from what they associate with Him.
41. Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what people’s hands have earned. Allah lets them taste some of what they have done so they may return.
42. Say: ‘Travel through the land and see what was the end of those before. Most of them were idolaters.’
43. So set your face firmly toward the right way before a Day comes from Allah that cannot be turned back. On that Day, people will be separated.
44. Whoever disbelieves will bear the burden of that disbelief, and whoever does good deeds is preparing the way for themselves,
45. so that Allah may reward those who believed and did good from His grace. Surely He does not like the disbelievers.
46. Among His signs is that He sends the winds as good news before His mercy, so that He may let you taste His kindness and that ships may sail by His command, and you may seek His bounty and be grateful.
47. Indeed, We sent messengers before you to their people. They came to them with clear signs. Then We took revenge on those who did evil. And it is Our duty to help the believers.
48. Allah is the One who sends the winds. They stir up the clouds, then He spreads them across the sky as He wills, and He breaks them into pieces. Then you see the rain come out of them. When He causes it to fall on whomever He wills of His servants, they rejoice.
49. Though before it was sent down to them, they were in despair.
50. Look then at the effects of Allah’s mercy — how He gives life to the earth after its death. Surely that same One will raise the dead. He is capable of everything.
51. But if We were to send a wind and they saw the crops turn yellow, they would become ungrateful after that.
52. So you, O Prophet, cannot make the dead hear, nor can you make the deaf hear your call when they turn their backs and walk away.
53. And you cannot guide the blind out of their error. You can only make those hear who believe in Our signs and submit to Us.
54. Allah is the One who created you weak, then gave you strength after weakness, then gave you weakness and grey hair after strength. He creates what He wills. And He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful.
55. On the Day the Hour is established, the wrongdoers will swear they stayed in the world no more than an hour. That is how they were always deceived.
56. But those who were given knowledge and faith will say, ‘You stayed, according to Allah’s record, until the Day of Resurrection — and this is the Day of Resurrection — but you did not know it.’
57. So on that Day, excuses will not benefit the wrongdoers, and they will not be allowed to make amends.
58. We have certainly presented every kind of example for people in this Qur’an. But if you bring them a sign, the disbelievers will surely say, ‘You are just making things up.’
59. This is how Allah seals the hearts of those who do not know.
60. So be patient. Surely the promise of Allah is true. And do not let those who have no certainty of faith discourage you. 0 0 0
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Comment
Surah Ar-Rum gives us a powerful reminder that history, nature, and even the rise and fall of empires are all part of Allah’s divine plan. At the time of its revelation, the Romans — who were People of the Book — had just suffered a major defeat, and the disbelievers in Makkah mocked the Muslims, thinking this was a sign that their belief would also fail. But Allah revealed in this Surah that the Romans would soon win again — and they did, just as Allah promised. This came true within a few years, and it became a miracle in itself, showing the truth of the Qur’an.
The Surah teaches us that no matter how strong or weak people or nations may seem, real power belongs only to Allah. The changing of times, victories and losses, life and death — all these are under His control. It reminds us not to be proud of worldly success, nor to be discouraged by temporary setbacks.
It also speaks deeply about the signs of Allah in creation: in the heavens and earth, in people’s languages and colors, in love and mercy between husband and wife, in rain and vegetation. These signs are not just scientific wonders — they are clear proofs of Allah’s wisdom, care, and presence in our lives.
The Surah encourages believers to reflect, to be patient, and to stay firm in their faith. It warns against being deceived by the short-lived pleasures of this world, because the real life is the Hereafter. It also reminds us that when the Day of Judgment comes, no one will be able to deny the truth or delay their return to Allah. 0 0 0
Surah Ar-Rum: Additional Study
Frequently Asked Questions on Surah 30: Ar-Rum
Q1. What is Surah Ar-Rum about?
Ans: Surah Ar-Rum discusses the rise and fall of empires, the prophecy about the Romans’ victory after defeat, and emphasizes the signs of Allah in creation, history, and human life.
Q2. Why is the surah called Ar-Rum?
Ans: The surah is called Ar-Rum because it begins with the prophecy about the Roman Empire (Ar-Rum) being defeated but soon gaining victory, which came true within a few years.
Q3. How many verses are in Surah Ar-Rum?
Ans: Surah Ar-Rum contains 60 verses.
Q4. Where was Surah Ar-Rum revealed?
Ans: Surah Ar-Rum is a Makkan surah, revealed in Makkah during a time of tension when the Muslims were facing persecution.
Q5. What is the significance of the prophecy in Surah Ar-Rum?
Ans: The prophecy in Surah Ar-Rum about the Romans’ victory was significant because it proved the truth of revelation, strengthening the faith of believers.
Q6. What lessons can be learned from Surah Ar-Rum?
Ans: Surah Ar-Rum teaches that worldly power rises and falls, but ultimate victory belongs to Allah. It reminds believers to reflect on the signs of nature, history, and life as proofs of divine wisdom.
Q7. Which themes are central in Surah Ar-Rum?
Ans: The central themes of Surah Ar-Rum are the reality of resurrection, the fleeting nature of worldly power, the certainty of divine promises, and the call to turn back to Allah. 0 0 0
Q1. What is Surah Ar-Rum about?
Ans: Surah Ar-Rum discusses the rise and fall of empires, the prophecy about the Romans’ victory after defeat, and emphasizes the signs of Allah in creation, history, and human life.
Q2. Why is the surah called Ar-Rum?
Ans: The surah is called Ar-Rum because it begins with the prophecy about the Roman Empire (Ar-Rum) being defeated but soon gaining victory, which came true within a few years.
Q3. How many verses are in Surah Ar-Rum?
Ans: Surah Ar-Rum contains 60 verses.
Q4. Where was Surah Ar-Rum revealed?
Ans: Surah Ar-Rum is a Makkan surah, revealed in Makkah during a time of tension when the Muslims were facing persecution.
Q5. What is the significance of the prophecy in Surah Ar-Rum?
Ans: The prophecy in Surah Ar-Rum about the Romans’ victory was significant because it proved the truth of revelation, strengthening the faith of believers.
Q6. What lessons can be learned from Surah Ar-Rum?
Ans: Surah Ar-Rum teaches that worldly power rises and falls, but ultimate victory belongs to Allah. It reminds believers to reflect on the signs of nature, history, and life as proofs of divine wisdom.
Q7. Which themes are central in Surah Ar-Rum?
Ans: The central themes of Surah Ar-Rum are the reality of resurrection, the fleeting nature of worldly power, the certainty of divine promises, and the call to turn back to Allah. 0 0 0
The Rise and Fall of Nations – A Poem on Surah Ar-Rum
Empires rise, then fade away,
Yet Allah’s word will ever stay.
The Romans fell, then rose again,
A prophecy fulfilled for men.
Signs are written in the skies,
In earth below and hearts that rise.
The day and night, the clouds that bring,
A proof of One, the Lord, the King.
Ar-Rum declares the fleeting show,
Of worldly might that comes and goes.
But faith remains, a guiding flame,
Through every loss, through every shame.
So turn to Him when trials near,
His promise shines, His truth is clear.
For kingdoms fall, but He shall reign,
The Lord of mercy, vast domain. 0 0 0
