The Romans

The Romans

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

[30:1]A. L. M.[30:2]The Roman Empire has been defeated-[30:3]In a land close by; but they, (even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious-[30:4]Within a few years. With God is the Decision, in the past and in the Future: on that Day shall the Believers rejoice-[30:5]With the help of God. He helps whom He will, and He is exalted in might, most merciful.[30:6](It is) the promise of God. Never does God depart from His promise: but most men understand not.[30:7]They know but the outer (things) in the life of this world: but of the End of things they are heedless.[30:8]Do they not reflect in their own minds? Not but for just ends and for a term appointed, did God create the heavens and the earth, and all between them: yet are there truly many among men who deny the meeting with their Lord (at the Resurrection)![30:9]Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength: they tilled the soil and populated it in greater numbers than these have done: there came to them their apostles with Clear (Signs). (Which they rejected, to their own destruction): It was not God Who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls.[30:10]In the long run evil in the extreme will be the End of those who do evil; for that they rejected the Signs of God, and held them up to ridicule.[30:11]It is God Who begins (the process of) creation; then repeats it; then shall ye be brought back to Him.[30:12]On the Day that the Hour will be established, the guilty will be struck dumb with despair.[30:13]No intercessor will they have among their "Partners" and they will (themselves) reject their "Partners".[30:14]On the Day that the Hour will be established,- that Day shall (all men) be sorted out.[30:15]Then those who have believed and worked righteous deeds, shall be made happy in a Mead of Delight.[30:16]And those who have rejected Faith and falsely denied our Signs and the meeting of the Hereafter,- such shall be brought forth to Punishment.

When I examine the first few ayats of this Surah, the first thing I ask myself is why will the "muminun" (believers) rejoice at the victories and successes of the Romans? My next question is, 'What is the struggle of the Romans?".

Perhaps the muminun are hoping that the Romans are successful, in terms, of their relationship with the One God, as Rome and Greece has had a history with a myriad of pagan dieties. Thus if Romans are reconstructing a Pagan Temple it is safe to say that this is not being victorious...and certainly there are some other struggles that comes along with it. That, in their struggles they have come to "Truth", "Justice", "Equity", "Fairness", "Peace", "Security", "Oneness of Allah", "Belief", "Faith", "Freedom from Corruption". So, in terms of the archaelogical digs and historical records of the previous rulers of Ancient Rome and Greece, there is much to learn (of mathematicians, logic, philosophers, statesmen, etc) and much to unlearn (paganism, hedonism, idolatry, occult, etc.) "Yafrahu al muminun" is something that the muminun are hoping and searching for concerning the efforts of the Romans which Allah blesses them to succeed in.

Therefore, next it becomes necessary to ask oneself who are the comtemporary Romans, for Allah has said that this is something binding on Him in the Past and in the Future. When we look around at the world's nations we can see many who have been substantially influenced by the ways of the Romans.

Then, this gives the mumin a different demeanor and disposition towards humanity...one of hoping for the Romans success to find Allah; and not one of hoping for the Romans failure to find Allah. For both mentalities do exist and one has to decide which one they wish to adopt.