The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-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 Soon will the time come when the unbelievers will wish they were Muslims. 2 Leave them alone; let them eat and enjoy themselves the while the hope [of vain delights] beguiles them: for in time they will come to know [the truth]. 3 And We destroyed no township but there was a known decree for it. 4 and no nation outstrips its term, nor do they put it back. 5 And they said, “O you upon whom the Qur’an has been sent, you are indeed insane.” 6 Why bringest thou not angels unto us, if thou art of the truthful? 7 We send not down the angels, save with truth; 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 We sent messengers before you to the previous peoples, 10 But no Messenger came to them except he was mocked. 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 And even if We opened unto them a gate of heaven and they kept mounting through it, 14 They will say all the same: "Our eyes were dazed (and clouded over). We were a people ensorcelled." 15