The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ Alif-Lam-Ra; these are verses of the Book and the bright Qur’an. 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 leave them to eat, and to take their joy, and to be bemused by hope; certainly they will soon know! 3 Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand. 4 No nation can outstrip its term nor can they lag behind. 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 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 And certainly We sent (apostles) before you among the nations of yore. 10 And never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him. 11 So We make it enter the hearts of the sinners. 12 they believe not in it, though the wont of the ancients is already gone. 13 Though We opened to them a gate in heaven, and still they mounted through it, 14 They would surely say: intoxicated have been our sights; aye! we are a people enchanted. 15