The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Alif. Lam. Ra. These are verses of the Scripture and a plain Reading. 1 It may be that those who disbelieve wish ardently that they were Muslims. 2 Leave them that they may eat and enjoy themselves and (that) hope may beguile them, for they will soon know. 3 And We have not destroyed a town but there was therefor a decree known. 4 No people can outstrip the term for its destruction nor can it 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 us the angels, if you should be among the truthful?" 7 We send not the angels down except with the truth (i.e. for torment, etc.), and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite! 8 As for the Admonition, indeed it is We Who have revealed it and it is indeed We Who are its guardians. 9 We have sent forth before you Messengers among the factions of the ancients. 10 and not a single Messenger came to them, but they mocked at him; 11 Even so We make a way for it (that is, the Admonition) in the hearts of the culprits (like a hot rod); 12 they believe not in it, though the wont of the ancients is already gone. 13 Had We opened a door for them in the sky through which they could easily pass, 14 they would have said, "Our eyes are bewildered and we have been affected by magic." 15