The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Alif Lam Ra. Those are the signs of the Book and of a manifest Koran. 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 We never destroyed any town without pre-ordaining the fate of its people. 4 No people can outstrip the term for its destruction nor can it delay it. 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 [Yet] We never send down angels otherwise than in accordance with the [demands of] truth; and [were the angels to appear now,] lo! they [who reject this divine writ] would have no further respite! 8 We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption). 9 We did send messengers before thee amongst the religious sects of old: 10 And never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him. 11 even so We cause it to enter into the hearts of the sinners -- 12 who do not believe in it, although the way which those [evildoers] of olden times had to go has long been within their ken. 13 and even if We opened to them a door from heaven, and they began ascending through it, 14 They would certainly say: Only our eyes have been covered over, rather we are an enchanted people. 15