The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the 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 We have never destroyed a township without a definite decree having been issued; 4 No group may advance its appointed promise nor postpone it. 5 They say: 'You to whom the Remembrance is sent down, you are indeed 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 Verily We! it is We who have revealed the admonition, and verily We are the guardians thereof. 9 We sent messengers before you to the previous peoples, 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 do not believe in the Truth and they exactly follow the tradition of the ancient (unbelievers) 13 Though We opened to them a gate in heaven, and still they mounted through it, 14 They would certainly say: Only our eyes have been covered over, rather we are an enchanted people. 15