The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ Alif. Lam. Ra. THESE ARE MESSAGES of revelation - of a discourse clear in itself and clearly showing the truth. 1 Perchance the unbelievers will wish that they had surrendered: 2 Leave them alone; let them eat and enjoy themselves the while the hope [of vain delights] beguiles them: for in time they will come to know [the truth]. 3 Never a city have We destroyed, but it had a known decree, 4 No nation can outstrip its term nor can they lag behind. 5 And yet, they [who deny the truth] say: "O thou unto whom this reminder has [allegedly] been bestowed from on high: verily, thou art mad! 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 We Ourselves have revealed the Quran and We are its Protectors. 9 And We had certainly sent [messengers] before you, [O Muhammad], among the sects of the former peoples. 10 But never came a messenger to them but they mocked him. 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 If We opened a gate in the heaven and they kept ascending through it, 14 They would say, "Our eyes have only been dazzled. Rather, we are a people affected by magic." 15