The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. These are the Verses of the Book, and a plain Quran. 1 And it will come to pass that those who are [now] bent on denying this truth will wish that they had surrendered themselves to God [in their life time]. 2 Leave them to eat and enjoy life and let false hopes amuse them. They will soon come to know. 3 Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand. 4 No nation can outstrip its term nor can they lag behind. 5 And yet they say: "You, to whom this Exposition has been sent are surely possessed of the Devil. 6 “Why do you not bring angels to us, if you are truthful?” 7 We send not down the angels save with the Fact, and in that case (the disbelievers) would not be tolerated. 8 Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian. 9 We have sent forth before you Messengers among the factions of the ancients. 10 And no messenger would come to them except that they ridiculed him. 11 This is how We make the mocking* enter the hearts of the guilty. (* The acts of disbelief.) 12 They will not believe in it, while there has already occurred the precedent of the former peoples. 13 And if We open for them a gate in the heavens, to ascend it through the day – 14 They would only say: "Our eyes have been intoxicated: Nay, we have been bewitched by sorcery." 15