Ar-Rum

Alif, Lām, Meem.

The Byzantines have been defeated

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

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

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

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

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

Do they not contemplate within themselves? 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.

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.

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