The sura begins with the prophecy about the victory of the Byzantine or Eastern Roman empire against the Persians. The Prophet (SAW) wrote letters to the Kings of Persia and Rome inviting them to Islam. The King of Iran, Khusrow Parv z, tore up the letter, but the King of Rome respected the Prophet’s letter. When the Romans were defeated, the Muslims were disheartened but the revelation foretold victory in the near future. The sura elaborates divine bounties in Heaven and on earth, the system supporting plants and animals and the creation

of the human being from dust. It also speaks of the relationship between man and woman and of work in the day and sleep at night. Allah also refers to the fall of rain, the winds, and the earth being revived after its death.