The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ ALIF LAM RA. These are the verses of the Book and the perspicuous oration. 1 Soon will the time come when the unbelievers will wish they were Muslims. 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 Neither can a people anticipate its term, nor delay it. 5 And they said, “O you upon whom the Qur’an has been sent, you are indeed insane.” 6 Why do you not bring to us the angels if you are of the truthful ones? 7 We do not send down the angels (in frivolity); and when We do send them down, We do so with Truth; then people are granted no respite. 8 Behold, it is We Ourselves who have bestowed from on high, step by step, this reminder; and behold, it is We who shall truly guard it [from all corruption]. 9 And We had certainly sent [messengers] before you, [O Muhammad], among the sects of the former peoples. 10 but there was never a messenger who came 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, though the example of the men of old hath gone before. 13 And even if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they were to continue ascending thereto, 14 They would only say: "Our eyes have been intoxicated: Nay, we have been bewitched by sorcery." 15