The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially 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 How strongly the unbelievers will wish that they had been Muslims. 2 Leave them to eat and enjoy, and for aspiration to involve them in play – so they will shortly come to know. 3 Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand. 4 No nation will precede its term, nor will they remain thereafter. 5 They say, "You to whom the Reminder [the Quran] has been sent down, you are surely possessed. 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 except with truth; and the disbelievers would not then be reprieved. 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 And assuredly We have sent apostles before thee among the sects of the ancients. 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 would not believe in it (the Quran), and already the example of (Allah's punishment of) the ancients (who disbelieved) has gone forth. 13 Yet even had We opened to them a gateway to heaven and they had ascended, on and on, up to it, 14 They would say, "Our eyes have only been dazzled. Rather, we are a people affected by magic." 15