The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-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 A time will surely come when those who are bent on denying the truth will wish that they had surrendered themselves to God, 2 so leave them to eat and enjoy themselves and let them be beguiled by vain hopes; for soon they will realise [the truth]. 3 Whenever We destroyed a town, a definite term had previously been decreed for it. 4 No people can hasten or delay the term already fixed for them. 5 And they say, "O you upon whom the message has been sent down, indeed you are mad. 6 Why do you not bring down the angels upon us, if you are truthful?" 7 We do not send down angels except for a genuine purpose, at which time none will be given any further respite. 8 It is We who sent down the Koran, and We watch over it. 9 AND, INDEED, [O Prophet,] even before thy time did We send [Our apostles] unto communities of old 10 And there never came an apostle to them but they mocked him. 11 Thus do We insert denial into the hearts of the criminals. 12 They would not believe in it (the Quran), and already the example of (Allah's punishment of) the ancients (who disbelieved) has gone forth. 13 And even if We open to them a gateway of heaven, so that they ascend into it all the while, 14 They will say all the same: "Our eyes were dazed (and clouded over). We were a people ensorcelled." 15