The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most 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 Let them eat and enjoy; and let their hopes deceive them, soon they shall know. 3 And We destroyed no township but there was a known decree for it. 4 No nation can anticipate its term, nor delay it. 5 And they say: "O you (Muhammad SAW) to whom the Dhikr (the Quran) has been sent down! Verily, you are a mad man. 6 Why do you not bring us the angels, if you should be among the 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 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 Indeed, We sent Messengers before thee, among the factions of the ancients, 10 But no Messenger came to them except he was mocked. 11 Even so we make a way for it in the hearts of the culprits. 12 They do not believe in it, and indeed the example of the former people has already passed. 13 And even if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they were to continue ascending thereto, 14 they would still say, "Our eyes have been dazzled. We are bewitched." 15