Surat Al-Rum was revealed in Mecca.  The theme of the Surat is that the signs of Allah are so clear to demonstrate His lordship and full control over the universe and everything that happens in it.  The signs identified in the Surat include those related to the universe, human development, and history.  These signs should reinforce the faith of the believers and eliminate any excuse for disbelief.  However, to truly appreciate the signs mentioned in the Surat, one needs to have knowledge of many natural and social sciences such as astronomy, meteorology, geology, geography, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and historiography.

It is noted that the phrase (وَمِنْ ءايَـٰتِهِ) “and among His Signs is,” stated in this Surat 7 times out of the 11 times that came in the whole Quran.

 

1	And among His Signs is that He created you (Adam) from dust, and then – behold you are human beings scattered! (20)	وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦۤ أَنۡ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ۬ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ۬ تَنتَشِرُونَ (٢٠)
2	And among His Signs is that “Among His signs (Ayat) is that He created for you mates from yourselves, in order to have tranquility and contentment with each other, and He put love and mercy between you. In this, there are signs for people who think. (21)	وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦۤ أَنۡ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا لِّتَسۡكُنُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيۡنَڪُم مَّوَدَّةً۬ وَرَحۡمَةً‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ (٢١)
3	And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors. Verily, in that are indeed signs for those of sound knowledge. (22)	وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ خَلۡقُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَـٰفُ أَلۡسِنَتِڪُمۡ وَأَلۡوَٲنِكُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّلۡعَـٰلِمِينَ (٢٢)
4	And among His Signs is your sleep by night and by day, and your seeking of His Bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people who listen. (23)	وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ مَنَامُكُم بِٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّہَارِ وَٱبۡتِغَآؤُكُم مِّن فَضۡلِهِۦۤ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَسۡمَعُونَ (٢٣)
5	And among His Signs is that He shows you the lightning creating fear and hope, and He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and therewith revives the earth after its death. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people who understand. (24)	وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ يُرِيڪُمُ ٱلۡبَرۡقَ خَوۡفً۬ا وَطَمَعً۬ا وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَيُحۡىِۦ بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَآ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡقِلُونَ (٢٤)
6	And among His Signs is that the heaven and the earth stand by His Command and when He calls you by single call, behold, you will come out from the earth. (25)	وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦۤ أَن تَقُومَ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ بِأَمۡرِهِۦ‌ۚ ثُمَّ إِذَا دَعَاكُمۡ دَعۡوَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِذَآ أَنتُمۡ تَخۡرُجُونَ (٢٥)
7	And among His Signs is that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His Mercy, and that the ships sail at His Command, and that you may seek of His Bounty, in order that you may be thankful. (46)	وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦۤ أَن يُرۡسِلَ ٱلرِّيَاحَ مُبَشِّرَٲتٍ۬ وَلِيُذِيقَكُم مِّن رَّحۡمَتِهِۦ وَلِتَجۡرِىَ ٱلۡفُلۡكُ بِأَمۡرِهِۦ وَلِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ (٤٦)

These Ayat in Allah’s recited book (كتاب الله المقروء), the Quran, direct us to study Allah’s visual (perspective, observed, seen) book (كتاب الله المنظور), the universe and all living beings. These Ayat suggest that the more we observe the universe and contemplate on it, the more we strengthen our belief, and the more Allah’s attributes are made evident.

An additional example of Allah’s visual signs for us is our own development and the phases of our own life.  Allah says:

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن ضَعۡفٍ۬ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ضَعۡفٍ۬ قُوَّةً۬ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قُوَّةٍ۬ ضَعۡفً۬ا وَشَيۡبَةً۬‌ۚ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡقَدِيرُ (٥٤)

“Allah is He Who created you in (a state of) weakness, then after weakness ordains strength (for you), then after strength ordains weakness and grey hair. He creates what He wills, and it is He Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful.” (30:54).

The Surat directs us to also study the history and the divine rules that control the rise and fall of nations/civilizations, Allah says:

ظَهَرَ ٱلۡفَسَادُ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُواْ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ (٤١) قُلۡ سِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلُ‌ۚ كَانَ أَڪۡثَرُهُم مُّشۡرِكِينَ (٤٢)

Corruption appeared throughout the land and sea as an outcome of what the hands of people have earned, that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, perhaps they may return (to the right path). (41) Say: Travel in the land and see what happened in the end to those who were before you, most of them were idolaters. (30:41-42)

The word “Idolaters – مُّشۡرِكِينَ” here does not necessarily mean that they worshipped physical entities such as statues or humans. It could mean that they deviate from the pure and natural disposition that Allah instilled in them (فِطۡرَتَ ٱللَّهِ). Thus, they placed themselves as partners with Allah (shirk) to formulate false religions. In a very concise Ayat that represents the basics of Allah’s revealed religion, Allah said:

فَأَقِمۡ وَجۡهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفً۬ا‌ۚ فِطۡرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيۡہَا‌ۚ لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِخَلۡقِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ (٣٠)

So, set your purpose steadily towards the religion, turning away from all that is false, in accordance with the natural disposition that Allah has instilled into people. Let there be no change in the creation of Allah. This is the ever-true faith. But most people do not know.  (30:30)

 The pure religion that Allah commands people to charter their life according to is consistent with the pure nature that Allah instilled in every human being.  Allah equipped every human being with a brain that is programmed with pure instinct that only accepts the truth. Thus, all people will have no respect for the liar or the deceiver or the miser or the arrogant or the cruel, etc..  There is nothing in Allah’s pure religion that the brain will ever reject because Allah’s religion is the truth, and our brain is naturally inclined to accept the truth.  But Satans enticed people to follow different ways that change the nature of what Allah created.

The Surat points out an economic sign that ignoring it negatively impact the Muslims’ world today. Allah says:

أَوَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يُؤۡمِنُونَ (٣٧) فَـَٔاتِ ذَا ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ حَقَّهُ ۥ وَٱلۡمِسۡكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجۡهَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ (٣٨) وَمَآ ءَاتَيۡتُم مِّن رِّبً۬ا لِّيَرۡبُوَاْ فِىٓ أَمۡوَٲلِ ٱلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَرۡبُواْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَمَآ ءَاتَيۡتُم مِّن زَكَوٰةٍ۬ تُرِيدُونَ وَجۡهَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُضۡعِفُونَ (٣٩)

Do they not see that Allah expands the provision for whom He wills and restricts (it for whom He wills). Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who believe. (37) So, give to the kinsman his due, and to the needy and to the wayfarer; that is best for those who seek Allah’s Countenance, and it is they who will be successful. (38) That which you give in usury in order that it may increase from people’s property has no increase with Allah; but that which you give in charity, seeking Allah’s Countenance, has manifold increase. (30:37-39)

This economic sign confirms that usury does not increase wealth but decreases it and if societies want to achieve growth and economic prosperity, they need to set the interest rate set at 0%.  This is what Federal Reserve Banks do to stimulate the economy. The Ayat also points out the importance of Zakat as an economic tool to uplift people from poverty and expand the economy.  And this is a promise from Allah to those who know and have full trust and confidence in Allah’s Wisdom.

An important point when reflecting on the signs of Allah is to realize that scientific, financial, and physical powers are required for the truth (الحق) to be victorious and for the word of Allah to be propagated.  The lack of power can be hindrance in the acceptance of the truth. This fact is emphasized by the Prophet (PBUH) in his discussion with Uday ibn Hatem (عدي بن حاتم) who was an Arabian king and was resisting accepting Islam.  The Prophet (PBUH) told him:

يا عدي لعلَّه إنما يمنعك من دخولٍ في هذا الدين ما ترى من حاجتهم ـ المسلمون فقراء ، فقراء لا يملكون شيئاً ـ وأيم الله ليوشكنَّ المال أن يفيض فيهم حتَّى لا يوجد من يأخذه

Uday, probably the reason for you not entering in this religion is the poverty of the Muslims and that they have nothing, but by Allah, money is on the verge of flooding them that they will not find anyone who will take it.

ولعلَّه يا عدي إنما يمنعك من دخول في هذا الدين ما ترى من كثرة عدوِّهم ، وقلِّة عددهم ، فوالله ليوشكن أن تسمع بالمرأة تخرج من القادسية على بعيرها فتزور هذا البيت لا تخاف .

“Uday, may be the reason for you not entering this religion is their meager number and the large number of their enemies, but Allah they will become so strong and their land so secure that a Muslim woman will travel alone from Al-Qadisia (القادسية) (in Iraq) to visit this house and fear nothing”.

ولعله إنما يمنعك من الدخول في هذا الدين أنك ترى المُلك والسلطان في غيرهم ، فو الله ليوشكن أن تسمع بالقصور البيض من أرض بابل قد فُتحت عليهم ، وأن كنوز كسرى قد صارت لهم

“Uday, maybe the reason for you not entering this religion is what you see of power and glory of others, by Allah you will soon hear that the white palaces of Babel have become under their control and the treasures of Kisra have fallen in their hands”.

Yes, it is true that some may not enter Islam because of the poverty and weakness that they see in the Muslim countries compared with the wealth and power of the non-Muslim countries. Thus, seeking wealth and power is a requirement to encourage people to follow the truth.

Regarding to Uday, after listening to the Prophet (PBUH), he declared his Islam and he lived until he saw the transformation of the Muslims state from weakness to strength and from poverty to wealth and he witnessed the fall of white palaces of Persia in the Muslims’ hands as the Prophet (PBUH) told him.

In addition to the physical, economical, anthropological and historical signs, the Surat highlighted in its beginning an international conflict as part of Allah’s historical signs.  This historical sign is related to the two great civilizations that existed before and during the revelation of the Quran. It referenced the major battle that occurred 6 years after the Prophet (PBUH) started his prophethood mission between the Persian (الفُرْسُ) and the Romans (الروم).  In that battle, the Persians achieved great victory and they took over Damascus and Jerusalem (بيت المقدس).  Allah says:

الٓمٓ (١) غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ (٢) فِىٓ أَدۡنَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ غَلَبِهِمۡ سَيَغۡلِبُونَ (٣) فِى بِضۡعِ سِنِينَ‌ۗ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ مِن قَبۡلُ وَمِنۢ بَعۡدُ‌ۚ وَيَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ يَفۡرَحُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ (٤) بِنَصۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (٥) وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ لَا يُخۡلِفُ ٱللَّهُ وَعۡدَهُ ۥ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ (٦)

Alif-Lam-Mîm. (1) The Romans have been defeated. (2) In the nearest land but they, after their defeat, will be victorious. (3) Within a few (three to nine) years. To Allah belongs the decision of the former and the later matter. And on that Day, the believers (i.e. Muslims) will rejoice. (4) With the victory of Allah.  He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.  (5) (It is) a Promise of Allah and Allah never fails in His Promise, but most of men know not. (Al-Rom 30:1-6)

This revelation occuurred at a time when Muslims were severely prosecuted in Mecca.   The pagans of Mecca used this revelation to mock the Muslims on several grounds.  They ridiculed the Muslim on how those who are so weak to even defend themselves worry about international affairs and wars between the two superpowers, the Romans, and the Persians.  In their argument, the pagans of Mecca failed to realize that Islam is a universal religion, and it has been revealed to all mankind and thus Muslims must be interested in the world affairs.

The pagans of Mecca also mocked the whole concept of revelations and Allah’s support for the believers because the Romans who were closer to the Muslims’ belief suffered a major defeat on the hand of the Persians who were pagans (وثنيُّون).  To the disbelievers in Mecca, this proved that they would always have the upper hand over Muslims and rejected any suggestion that a war will occur in a few years and the Roman will be victorious.

Seven years later a battle between the Romans and the Persian took place and the Romans won and regained control over Damascus and Jerusalem (بيت المقدس), the land they previously lost.  This victory was a fulfillment of the prediction made in this Surat and a proof of the truthfulness of the Quran.

The Ayat predicted that the Roman will be victories in less than ten years and that day, the believers would rejoice (وَيَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ يَفۡرَحُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ). And the Ayat gave the reason of this happiness that they will rejoice with Allah’s (بِنَصۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌).  But why the Muslims would rejoice the victory of the Romans?   This is a historical miracle that Allah revealed years before it occurred. On the same day the Romans won against the Persians, the Muslims won against the pagans of Mecca in the battle of Badr and thus they rejoiced with the victory that was a fulfillment of the promise of Allah (وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ) in these Ayat.

One more comment that deserves our attention here. Allah said: The Romans have been defeated in the nearer land (غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ (فِىٓ أَدۡنَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ).  The word “Adna” (أَدۡنَى) has two meanings.  It could be translated as nearest or lowest.    Early Muslims took the word “Adna” to mean nearest (in approximation) since the battle occurred near the Arabs’ land.  However, the recent advancement of Geodetic Science helped in discovering the correct meaning of the word “Adna” in this Ayat.

That the battle occurred at the lowest elevation on earth (the area of the Dead Sea Shores), which is1390 ft (424 m) below sea level.  So, the Quranic description of the battle location is incredibly accurate and can only proves the divine source of the Quran.

When this Surat was revealed and mentioned that the Roman will win against the Persian Ubay ibn Khalaf who was a disbeliever came to Abu Bakr and told him, your companion, referring to the Prophet (PBUH) claims that the Romans will be victorious in three to nine years, I challenge you for a bet of 10 camels that this is a lie, and this will not happen.   Abu Baker accepted the bet and said that the Romans would win in three years.   Abu Bakr may have selected the lower limit of the period that Allah specified on the assumption that Allah will not allow the pagans of Quraysh to challenge the authenticity of this revelation for the whole period on nine years.

Abu Bakr informed the Prophet (PBUH) about his bet.  The Prophet (PBUH) said to him: Go back and challenge Ubay for a larger bet but increase the period to 9 years.  Abu Bakr went to Ubay ibn Khalaf and challenged him to increase the bet to 100 camels that the Romans to win in 9 years and Ubay agreed.

When the Muslims began immigrating to Madina, Ubay ibn Khalaf came to Abu Bakr on the assumption that he will also be leaving Mecca and asked him on who will be paying his bet if he leaves.  Abu Bakr said:  my son Abdul Rahman who had not entered in Islam will be honoring the bet.

Seven years after the bet was made, Abdul Rahman saw Ubay ibn Khalaf preparing to leave for the battle of Badr, he told him, who will pay the bet you made with my father if you are killed. Ubay said:  My son will honor it.

During the same time of the battle of Badr, a battle between the Romans and the Persian occurred and the Romans won and regained control over Damascus and Jerusalem (بيت المقدس).  Abu Bakr’s son went to Ubay and collected 100 camels from him.  When the camels arrived at Madina, Abu Bakr asked the Prophet (PBUH) what to do with them.  The Prophet (PBUH) advised him to distribute them as charity.

This incident may clarify the difference between an allowed bit and gambling.  In this case Abu Baker was 100% sure that he would win the bet, thus it cannot be considered gambling.

The Surat ends by directing people to study and ponder on the extensive signs that Allah revealed in the Quran because through these signs they will truly know Allah.  Unfortunately, the hearts of the disbelievers are blind to all these signs.

وَلَقَدۡ ضَرَبۡنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ۬‌ۚ وَلَٮِٕن جِئۡتَهُم بِـَٔايَةٍ۬ لَّيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُوٓاْ إِنۡ أَنتُمۡ إِلَّا مُبۡطِلُونَ (٥٨) كَذَٲلِكَ يَطۡبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ (٥٩) فَٱصۡبِرۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬‌ۖ وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ (٦٠)

“And, indeed, We have set forth for mankind in this Qur’an all kinds of parables. Yet if you bring to them any sign, the disbelievers are sure to say: “You are but making false claims.” (58) In this way, Allah seals up the hearts of those who so not (want to) know.  (59) So be patient, Allah’s promise is the very truth, and do not let those who are devoid of certainty shake your firmness.”  (30:58-60)

Extra:

In addition to the seven times the phrase (وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ) “And among His Signs” is stated in Surat Al-Room, there are only four others that are mentioned, two in Surat Fusulat  (فُصّلَت) (41:37 and 39) and two in Surat Al-Shura (الشّوریٰ) (42:29 and 32).  These are:

وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِ ٱلَّيۡلُ وَٱلنَّهَارُ وَٱلشَّمۡسُ وَٱلۡقَمَرُ‌ۚ لَا تَسۡجُدُواْ لِلشَّمۡسِ وَلَا لِلۡقَمَرِ وَٱسۡجُدُواْ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ إِيَّاهُ تَعۡبُدُونَ (٣٧)

“And among His Signs is the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostrate to Allah Who created them, if you (really) worship Him”. (Fusulat 41:37)

وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦۤ أَنَّكَ تَرَى ٱلۡأَرۡضَ خَـٰشِعَةً۬ فَإِذَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہَا ٱلۡمَآءَ ٱهۡتَزَّتۡ وَرَبَتۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحۡيَاهَا لَمُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰٓ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ (٣٩)

And among His Signs is that you see the earth barren, when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetations). Verily, He Who gives it life, surely is Able to give life to the dead. Indeed! He is Able to do all things. (Fusulat 41:39)

وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ خَلۡقُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَثَّ فِيهِمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ۬‌ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ جَمۡعِهِمۡ إِذَا يَشَآءُ قَدِيرٌ۬ (٢٩)

And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and whatever beasts He has dispersed in both of them. And He is Able to gather them whenever He wills. (Al-Shura 42:29)

وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِ ٱلۡجَوَارِ فِى ٱلۡبَحۡرِ كَٱلۡأَعۡلَـٰمِ (٣٢) إِن يَشَأۡ يُسۡكِنِ ٱلرِّيحَ فَيَظۡلَلۡنَ رَوَاكِدَ عَلَىٰ ظَهۡرِهِۦۤ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ۬ شَكُورٍ (٣٣)

“And among His Signs are the ships, in the sea, like banners. If He wills, He causes the wind to cease so they keep still on its surface. Verily, in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.” (Al-Shura 42:32-33)