Surah Ar-Room (سُورَةُ الرُّومِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir

Overview

Ar-Room (سُورَةُ الرُّومِ) — "The Romans" is the 30th chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 60 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.

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Selected Verses

Verse 1

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ الٓمٓ

Alif. Lam. Mim.

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Verse 2

غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ

Defeated have been the Byzantines

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Verse 3

فِىٓ أَدْنَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ

in the lands close-by; yet it is they who, notwithstanding this their defeat, shall be victorious

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Verse 4

فِى بِضْعِ سِنِينَ ۗ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِنۢ بَعْدُ ۚ وَيَوْمَئِذٍۢ يَفْرَحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ

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

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Verse 5

بِنَصْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

in God’s succour: [for] He gives suc­cour to whomever He wills, since He alone is almighty, a dispenser of grace.

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Verse 6

وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

[This is] God’s promise. Never does God fail to fulfill His promise - but most people know [it] not:

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Verse 7

يَعْلَمُونَ ظَٰهِرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ هُمْ غَٰفِلُونَ

they know but the outer surface of this world’s life, whereas of the ultimate things they are utterly un­aware.

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Verse 8

أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِم ۗ مَّا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍۢ مُّسَمًّۭى ۗ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِلِقَآئِ رَبِّهِمْ لَكَٰفِرُونَ

Have they never learned to think for them­selves? God has not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them without [an inner] truth and a term set [by Him]: and yet, behold, there are many people who stubbornly deny the truth that they are destined to meet their Sustainer!

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Verse 9

أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةًۭ وَأَثَارُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَعَمَرُوهَآ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا عَمَرُوهَا وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ ۖ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

Have they, then, never journeyed about the earth and beheld what happened in the end to those [deniers of the truth] who lived before their time? Greater were they in power than they are; and they left a stronger impact on the earth, and built it up even better than these [are doing]; and to them [too] came their apostles with all evidence of the truth: and so, [when they rejected the truth and thereupon perished,] it was not God who wronged them, but it was they who had wronged themselves.

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Verse 10

ثُمَّ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓأَىٰٓ أَن كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَانُوا۟ بِهَا يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

And once again: evil is bound to be the end of those who do evil by giving the lie to God’s messages and deriding them.

...and 50 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.

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Key Themes

The surah of Ar-Room (The Romans) covers important Islamic themes including faith, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. As a Meccan (Makki) surah, it reflects the spiritual and theological context of that period of revelation.

Virtues of Reading This Surah

Regular recitation of the Quran is highly encouraged. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." — Sahih Al-Bukhari

Reading any portion of the Quran brings immense rewards. Make a habit of reciting Surah Ar-Room as part of your daily Quran reading.

How to Recite

1. Make wudu (ritual purification) before touching the Mushaf
2. Begin with "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil)
3. Begin with Bismillah (except in Surah At-Tawbah)
4. Recite with tarteel (measured, deliberate pace)
5. Reflect on the meaning as you recite

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When was Surah Ar-Room revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.

Q: How many verses does Surah Ar-Room have? It contains 60 ayaat (verses).

Q: What does "The Romans" mean? The name "Ar-Room" translates to "The Romans" in English.