RationalWiki:Annotated Qur'an/The Romans

Annotated Qur'an
Sura 30: The Romans
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Qur'an 30:1 Alif, Lam, Meem.	Qur'an 30:1 Notes This is another one of those chapters that starts with random Arabic letters. What do they mean? Why are they here? Islamic scholars have been studying this book for literal centuries and still have no definitive answer.

Qur'an 30:2 The Romans have been defeated.	Qur'an 30:2 Notes This is a breath of fresh air. The Quran got something right!

Qur'an 30:3 In a nearby territory. But following their defeat, they will be victorious.	Qur'an 30:3 Notes What does this mean exactly? Why is there no context? An empire faced a defeat and then found victory shortly after. How is that noteworthy?

Qur'an 30:4 In a few years. The matter is up to Allah, in the past, and in the future. On that day, the believers will rejoice.	Qur'an 30:4 Notes These verses supposedly reference a series of conflicts between Roman Christians and Persian pagans. The believers will apparently rejoice when people of the book defeat those pagan polytheists.

Qur'an 30:5 In Allah’s support. He supports whomever He wills. He is the Almighty, the Merciful.	Qur'an 30:5 Notes And here it is. Allah waited four entire verses before tooting his own horn again.

Qur'an 30:6 The promise of Allah—Allah never breaks His promise, but most people do not know.	Qur'an 30:6 Notes Allah says so many obvious falsehoods that his "promise" means nothing.

Qur'an 30:7 They know an outer aspect of the worldly life, but they are heedless of the Hereafter.	Qur'an 30:7 Notes To be fair, no solid evidence points to a "Hereafter" outside of this world. Guys claiming that a skydaddy actually exists and does things isn't solid evidence.

Qur'an 30:8 Do they not reflect within themselves? Allah did not create the heavens and the earth, and what is between them, except with reason, and for a specific duration. But most people, regarding meeting their Lord, are disbelievers.	Qur'an 30:8 Notes Allah didn't create anything from the looks of it. This book makes way too many obvious mistakes. We have no solid evidence of this world even being created by a sentient being with any intentionality at all.

Qur'an 30:9 Have they not travelled the earth and seen how those before them ended up? They were more powerful than them, and they cultivated the land and developed it more than they developed it, and their messengers came to them with clear signs. Allah would never wrong them, but they used to wrong themselves.	Qur'an 30:9 Notes Allah should have left evidence of these "messengers" or "clear signs" instead of just using these tall tales to fill gaps in human knowledge.

Qur'an 30:10 Then, evil was the end of those who committed evil. That is because they rejected Allah’s revelations, and used to ridicule them.	Qur'an 30:10 Notes What does Allah know about evil? Allah is perfectly fine with killing and enslaving those who dare hurt his feelings.

Qur'an 30:11 Allah originates creation, and then repeats it. Then to Him you will be returned.	Qur'an 30:11 Notes Allah says this while not even proving that he ever existed, much less that he's the sentient being responsible for doing anything attributed to him.

Qur'an 30:12 On the Day when the Hour takes place, the guilty will despair.	Qur'an 30:12 Notes Instead of that, however, Allah prefers horrid threats towards those who aren't gullible enough to believe his specific brand of nonsense above any other.

Qur'an 30:13 They will have no intercessors from among their idols, and they will disown their partners.	Qur'an 30:13 Notes Those idols seem no less real than Allah.

Qur'an 30:14 On the Day when the Hour takes place—on that Day they will separate.	Qur'an 30:14 Notes Plus, these threats only make Allah look like an insecure fool.

Qur'an 30:15 As for those who believed and did good deeds—they will be delighted in meadows.	Qur'an 30:15 Notes The rewards aren't exactly better, though.

Qur'an 30:16 But as for those who disbelieved, and rejected Our signs and the encounter of the Hereafter—those will be hauled into the torment.	Qur'an 30:16 Notes Back to the horrid threats already?

Qur'an 30:17 So glorify Allah when you retire at night, and when you rise in the morning.	Qur'an 30:17 Notes Do that or burn in Hell forever!

Qur'an 30:18 His is the praise in the heavens and on earth, and in the evening, and when you reach midday.	Qur'an 30:18 Notes Such a sadist deserves absolutely no praise whatsoever.

Qur'an 30:19 He brings the living out of the dead, and He brings the dead out of the living, and He revives the land after it had died. Likewise you will be resurrected.	Qur'an 30:19 Notes Allah clearly has no idea how life works.

Qur'an 30:20 And of His signs is that He created you from dust; and behold, you become humans spreading out.	Qur'an 30:20 Notes How is that a sign? Humans, by all accounts, were not made from dust. This, if anything, is just a sign that Allah has no idea what he's talking about.

Qur'an 30:21 And of His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, so that you may find tranquility in them; and He planted love and compassion between you. In this are signs for people who reflect.	Qur'an 30:21 Notes Muhammad surely displayed this "love and compassion" beautifully with his many wives of all ages. He showed so much "love and compassion" that he had some left over for his sex slaves.

Qur'an 30:22 And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and colors. In this are signs for those who know.	Qur'an 30:22 Notes Frankly, "those who know" can clearly see that Allah doesn't.

Qur'an 30:23 And of His signs are your sleep by night and day, and your pursuit of His bounty. In this are signs for people who listen.	Qur'an 30:23 Notes Allah really takes credit for people sleeping at night and being awake for the morning hours?

Qur'an 30:24 And of His signs is that He shows you the lightning, causing fear and hope. And He brings down water from the sky, and with it He revives the earth after it was dead. In this are signs for people who understand.	Qur'an 30:24 Notes Allah basically looks at the world through Muhammad's eyes and just takes credit for anything he sees.

Qur'an 30:25 And of His signs is that the heaven and the earth stand at His disposal. And then, when He calls you out of the earth, you will emerge at once.	Qur'an 30:25 Notes Allah could at least know anything about this round planet and non-solid sky.

Qur'an 30:26 To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth. All are submissive to Him.	Qur'an 30:26 Notes From the looks of it, Allah is the one who belongs to Muhammad and not the other way around.

Qur'an 30:27 It is He who initiates creation, and then repeats it, something easy for Him. His is the highest attribute, in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, the Wise.	Qur'an 30:27 Notes Allah could at least say something different and not repeat previous verses.

Qur'an 30:28 He illustrates an example for you, from your own selves: do you make your servants full partners in the wealth We have given you? Do you revere them as you revere one another? We thus explain the revelations for a people who understand.	Qur'an 30:28 Notes Explain why slavery at all is still allowed in any case.

Qur'an 30:29 Yet the wrongdoers follow their desires without knowledge. But who can guide whom Allah leaves astray? They will have no helpers.	Qur'an 30:29 Notes Allah should try not leaving people astray instead of complaining about it.

Qur'an 30:30 So devote yourself to the religion of monotheism—the natural instinct Allah has instilled in mankind. There is no altering Allah’s creation. This is the true religion, but most people do not know.	Qur'an 30:30 Notes Most people don't know that they instinctually worship the one single god who instilled this instinct in mankind as a whole? How does that make sense?

Qur'an 30:31 Turning towards Him—and be conscious of Him, and perform the prayer, and do not be of the idolaters.	Qur'an 30:31 Notes Allah has shown himself to be no more real than any other gods. Frankly, "His signs" could point to literally any creator god ever imagined.

Qur'an 30:32 Of those who divided their religion, and became sects; each faction pleased with what they have.	Qur'an 30:32 Notes Allah says this while failing to keep Muslims from splitting into various factions.

Qur'an 30:33 When affliction touches the people, they call on their Lord, turning to Him in repentance. But then, when He gives them a taste of His mercy, some of them attribute partners to their Lord.	Qur'an 30:33 Notes Allah, again, complains about people believing in other gods instead of providing any evidence that doesn't apply just as well to any others.

Qur'an 30:34 To show ingratitude for what We have given them. Indulge yourselves—you will surely know.	Qur'an 30:34 Notes He could at least tell the difference between sincere disbelief and gratitude. He literally claims repeatedly to be the one who keeps people from sincerely believing in him, after all.

Qur'an 30:35 Have We sent down to them any authority, which speaks in support of their idols?	Qur'an 30:35 Notes Allah attempts to dismiss these other gods because he says that no proof actually supports their existence. The same can apply in denouncing Allah's existence.

Qur'an 30:36 When We give people a taste of mercy, they rejoice in it. But when adversity befalls them, because of what their hands have perpetrated, they begin to despair.	Qur'an 30:36 Notes Allah takes credit for the good in people's lives but gives people credit for the hardships in their lives.

Qur'an 30:37 Do they not see that Allah expands the provision for whomever He wills, or restricts it? Surely in this are signs for people who believe.	Qur'an 30:37 Notes Those signs point just as clearly to Allah as the do to any other gods whom people have ever imagined.

Qur'an 30:38 So give the relative his rights, and the destitute, and the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allah’s presence. Those are the prosperous.	Qur'an 30:38 Notes How about giving these people their rights whether a god said so or not?

Qur'an 30:39 The usury you practice, seeking thereby to multiply people’s wealth, will not multiply with Allah. But what you give in charity, desiring Allah’s approval—these are the multipliers.	Qur'an 30:39 Notes Charity is good whether a god said so or not.

Qur'an 30:40 Allah is He who created you, then provides for you, then makes you die, then brings you back to life. Can any of your idols do any of that? Glorified is He, and Exalted above what they associate.	Qur'an 30:40 Notes Yet another verse claims that Allah can do things while refusing to prove it.

Qur'an 30:41 Corruption has appeared on land and sea, because of what people’s hands have earned, in order to make them taste some of what they have done, so that they might return.	Qur'an 30:41 Notes Verily, corruption has appeared in many forms, including a religion that commands people to spread it by the sword while condoning slavery and domestic abuse.

Qur'an 30:42 Say, “Roam the earth, and observe the fate of those who came before. Most of them were idolaters.”	Qur'an 30:42 Notes Idolatry seems to offend Allah far more than those things, though...

Qur'an 30:43 So devote yourself to the upright religion, before there comes from Allah a Day that cannot be averted. On that Day, they will be shocked.	Qur'an 30:43 Notes This threat is meant for idolaters, by the way. They are clearly the real evildoers.

Qur'an 30:44 Whoever disbelieves, upon him falls his disbelief. And whoever acts righteously—they are preparing for themselves.	Qur'an 30:44 Notes Allah clearly has no idea what acting "righteously" even means.

Qur'an 30:45 So that He may reward those who have believed and done the righteous deeds out of His bounty. Indeed, He does not love the ungrateful.	Qur'an 30:45 Notes Righteous deeds apparently include the violent subjugation of anybody who dares worship a god other than Allah.

Qur'an 30:46 And of His signs is that He sends the winds bearing good news, to give you a taste of His mercy, and so that the ships may sail by His command, and so that you may seek of His bounty, and so that you may give thanks.	Qur'an 30:46 Notes The many shipwrecked crews dying at sea can see this "good news" and "mercy" for themselves.

Qur'an 30:47 Before you, We sent messengers to their people. They came to them with clear proofs. Then We took revenge on those who sinned. It is incumbent on Us to help the believers.	Qur'an 30:47 Notes Can anybody see these "clear proofs" today?

Qur'an 30:48 Allah is He who sends the winds. They stir up clouds. Then He spreads them in the sky as He wills. And He breaks them apart. Then you see rain drops issuing from their midst. Then, when He makes it fall upon whom He wills of His servants, behold, they rejoice.	Qur'an 30:48 Notes Those floods and hurricanes are apparently also from Allah.

Qur'an 30:49 Although they were before this—before it was sent down upon them—in despair.	Qur'an 30:49 Notes Allah needs to take the blame for those if he wants to take credit for the good things.

Qur'an 30:50 So observe the effects of Allah’s mercy—how He revives the earth after it was dead. Indeed, He is the Reviver of the dead. He is Capable of everything.	Qur'an 30:50 Notes Allah clearly doesn't understand life. The earth was never dead for anybody to revive it.

Qur'an 30:51 But if We send a wind, and they see it turning things yellow, they would continue thereafter to disbelieve.	Qur'an 30:51 Notes This is because those winds don't necessarily point to the insecure bully mentioned in these nonsensical verses. They could just as easily point to any other gods.

Qur'an 30:52 You cannot make the dead hear, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they turn away.	Qur'an 30:52 Notes Allah certainly can't do anything of the sort.

Qur'an 30:53 Nor can you guide the blind out of their error. You can make hear only those who believe in Our signs, and so have submitted.	Qur'an 30:53 Notes Allah's supposed signs only work on those who already believe in him? Those aren't signs. Those are just examples of confirmation bias.

Qur'an 30:54 Allah is He Who created you weak, then after weakness gave you strength, then after strength gave you weakness and gray hair. He creates whatever He wills. He is the Omniscient, the Omnipotent.	Qur'an 30:54 Notes This book is a clear enough sign that Allah can't do or know anything.

Qur'an 30:55 On the Day when the Hour takes place, the sinners will swear they had stayed but an hour. Thus they were deluded.	Qur'an 30:55 Notes Allah is the deluded one here.

Qur'an 30:56 But those endowed with knowledge and faith will say, “You remained in Allah’s Book until the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not know.”	Qur'an 30:56 Notes Allah is such a pathetic baby that he feels the need to punish people for not knowing any better. He also claims to be the reason why nobody supposedly knows anything.

Qur'an 30:57 On that Day, the sinners’ excuses will not benefit them, nor will they be excused.	Qur'an 30:57 Notes This isn't Satan but Allah saying that.

Qur'an 30:58 We have cited in this Quran for the people every sort of parable. But even if you bring them a miracle, those who disbelieve will say, “You are nothing but fakers.”	Qur'an 30:58 Notes Allah just sucks at providing any convincing parables and miracles, whether on purpose or out of sheer incompetence.

Qur'an 30:59 Allah thus seals the hearts of those who do not know.	Qur'an 30:59 Notes Allah does that, not Satan.

Qur'an 30:60 So be patient. The promise of Allah is true. And do not let those who lack certainty belittle you.	Qur'an 30:60 Notes Frankly, this "certainty" is entirely misplaced. Many people claim with "certainty" that the earth is flat under a solid sky, including Muhammad, but they are just certainly incorrect.