The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ ALIF LAM RA. These are the verses of the Book and the perspicuous oration. 1 How strongly the unbelievers will wish that they had been Muslims. 2 leave them to eat, and to take their joy, and to be bemused by hope; certainly they will soon know! 3 We never destroyed any town without pre-ordaining the fate of its people. 4 No nation can anticipate its term, nor delay it. 5 They say: "O thou to whom the Message is being revealed! truly thou art mad (or possessed)! 6 Why do you not bring down angels upon us if you are indeed truthful?" 7 [Yet] We never send down angels otherwise than in accordance with the [demands of] truth; and [were the angels to appear now,] lo! they [who reject this divine writ] would have no further respite! 8 Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). 9 We did send messengers before thee amongst the religious sects of old: 10 But never came a messenger to them but they mocked him. 11 This is how We make the mocking* enter the hearts of the guilty. (* The acts of disbelief.) 12 They believe not therein, and already the example of the ancients hath gone forth. 13 and even if We opened to them a door from heaven, and they began ascending through it, 14 They will say all the same: "Our eyes were dazed (and clouded over). We were a people ensorcelled." 15