The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Alif Lam Ra. These are the verses of a clear Book, the Quran. 1 Again and again will those who disbelieve, wish that they had bowed (to Allah's will) in Islam. 2 Leave them alone, to enjoy (the good things of this life) and to please themselves: let (false) hope amuse them: soon will knowledge (undeceive them). 3 Never a city have We destroyed, but it had a known decree, 4 No group may advance its appointed promise nor postpone it. 5 And they say, "O you upon whom the message has been sent down, indeed you are mad. 6 Why dost thou not bring the angels unto us, if thou speakest truly?' 7 We do not send down angels without reason, and if the angels descend they would not get any respite! 8 Indeed We have sent down the Qur’an, and indeed We Ourselves surely are its Guardians. (This is one of the miracles of the Qur’an – no one has been able to change even one letter of its text, despite every effort. It has remained in its original form since the 6th Century (A. D) and will remain so forever. Other Holy Books such as the Torah and the Bible have lost their originality.) 9 Indeed, We sent Messengers before thee, among the factions of the ancients, 10 and not a single Messenger came to them, but they mocked at him; 11 Even so do we let it creep into the hearts of the sinners - 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 Even if We opened out to them a gate from heaven, and they were to continue (all day) ascending therein, 14 They would say: Our sight is wrong - nay, but we are folk bewitched. 15