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 And it will come to pass that those who are [now] bent on denying this truth will wish that they had surrendered themselves to God [in their life time]. 2 Leave them thou to eat and to enjoy, and let vain hope divert them; presently they will know. 3 And never did We destroy a town but it had a term made known. 4 No nation can outstrip its term, nor do they put it back. 5 They say: 'You to whom the Remembrance is sent down, you are indeed mad. 6 Why do you not bring down the angels upon us, if you are truthful?" 7 But We send down the angels only to bring justice and then they will not be reprieved. 8 Behold, it is We Ourselves who have bestowed from on high, step by step, this reminder; and behold, it is We who shall truly guard it [from all corruption]. 9 We had also sent apostles to people of earlier persuasions. 10 but there was never a messenger who came to them but they mocked him: 11 Even so do we let it creep into the hearts of the sinners - 12 They do not believe in him, and the tradition of earlier nations has passed. 13 Even if We opened out to them a gate from heaven, and they were to continue (all day) ascending therein, 14 They would certainly say: Only our eyes have been covered over, rather we are an enchanted people. 15