The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Alif. Lam. Ra. THESE ARE MESSAGES of revelation - of a discourse clear in itself and clearly showing the truth. 1 Often will those who disbelieve wish that they had been Muslims. 2 Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by [false] hope, for they are going to know. 3 We have never destroyed a township without a definite decree having been issued; 4 No people can outstrip the term for its destruction nor can it delay it. 5 They say, "You to whom the Reminder [the Quran] has been sent down, you are surely possessed. 6 Why do you not bring down the angels upon us, if you are truthful?" 7 We send not the angels down except with the truth (i.e. for torment, etc.), and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no 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 And indeed We sent Noble Messengers before you, to the former nations. 10 No Messenger went to them whom they did not mock. 11 Thus do We insert denial into the hearts of the criminals. 12 They will not believe in it, though they have before them the example of former peoples, 13 And [even] if We opened to them a gate from the heaven and they continued therein to ascend, 14 They will say all the same: "Our eyes were dazed (and clouded over). We were a people ensorcelled." 15