Sura 30 The Romans (Al-Room)

In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.

[30:1] A. L. M.

[30:2] The Romans have been defeated

[30:3] in the lowest of the lands. After their defeat, they will gain victory

Footnote 30:3 - The Byzantines (Eastern Roman Empire) and the Persians went to war in the years 613 - 614 C.E, with the Byzantines suffering a severe defeat at the hands of the Persians. The battle scene was the area around the Dead Sea.

A few years after the defeat of the Romans, a decisive battle took place in 627 C.E. between the two Empires, and this time, the Romans inflicted defeat on the Persians.

It is now known, with the aid of satellite images, that the area around the Dead Sea (located in the Great Rift Valley) has the lowest sea level altitude on earth. In fact, the lowest point on earth is the shoreline of the Dead Sea, with an altitude of around 400 meters below sea level. The words 'lowest of the lands' in 30:3 reveal an accurate scientific fact many centuries before its discovery.

[30:4] in a few years. The matter is up to God, both before and after. On that day, the believers shall rejoice

[30:5] in God's victory. He grants victory to whom He wills. He is the Dignified, the Merciful.

[30:6] Such is God's promise. God never breaks His promise, but most people do not know.

[30:7] They are quite familiar with the superficial aspects of the worldly life, and of the Hereafter, they are oblivious.

[30:8] Have they not reflected within themselves? God did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them except with truth and for a specified term. Yet many people disbelieve in the meeting with their Lord.

[30:9] Have they not travelled in the land and seen what the outcome of those before them was? They were more powerful than them, and they cultivated the land and inhabited it far more than they did inhabit it. And their messengers came to them with the clear proofs. God was not to wrong them, but it was they who wronged themselves.

[30:10] Consequently, the outcome of those who have committed evil will also be evil, for they denied God's revelations, and they used to mock them.

[30:11] God initiates the creation, and then He repeats it. Then to Him, you shall be returned.

[30:12] And on the Day the Hour comes to pass, the criminals will be in total despair.

[30:13] They had no intercessors from among their partners, and so, they renounced their partners.