Surah Ar-Rum

Introduction

It is Meccan, as narrated from Ibn Abbas and Ibn al-Zubayr, may Allah the Exalted be pleased with them. Indeed, Ibn Atiyyah and others said: "There is no disagreement regarding its Meccan origin," and they did not except anything from it. Al-Hasan said: "It is Meccan except for His saying, the Exalted: 'So exalted is Allah when you reach the evening' (Verse 17)," and this contradicts the school of the majority and the accepted interpretation, as will be clarified, Allah willing. Its verses are sixty, and according to some, fifty-nine.

As for the manner of its connection to the preceding Surah, according to what Jalal al-Suyuti stated, it is that the previous Surah concluded with His saying, the Exalted: "And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways," and this one commenced with the promise of victory and triumph for the party of the People of the Scripture who prevailed, and the joy of the believers in that, and that the ultimate state belongs to the people of striving for His sake; and they are not harmed by whatever defeat befell them before that. This is in addition to its resemblance to the preceding one in commencing with Alif-Lam-Mim.

It is not hidden that the fighting of the People of the Scripture is not among the striving for Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, and thus that connection is weak. Whoever examines the reports regarding the occasion of its revelation will see that what this Surah began with, which includes the victory of the believers by repelling the gloating of their polytheist enemies, involves those who have always been striving in Allah, the Exalted, and for His sake, and for His face, the Almighty and Majestic. The fact that they were not striving with the sword at the time of the revelation does not invalidate this. This is, in my view, a more sound connection than the aspect mentioned by al-Jalal, so reflect upon it.

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

Alif-Lam-Mim.

The discourse regarding this is the same as that which has already passed in its counterparts among the noble opening letters.