The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ ALIF LAM RA. These are the verses of the Book and the perspicuous oration. 1 It may be that those who disbelieve wish ardently that they were Muslims. 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 And never did We destroy a township but there was a known decree for it. 4 No people can outstrip the term for its destruction nor can it delay it. 5 And yet they say: "You, to whom this Exposition has been sent are surely possessed of the Devil. 6 Why bringest thou not angels unto us if thou art of the truthtellers! 7 We send not down the angels save with the Fact, and in that case (the disbelievers) would not be tolerated. 8 Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). 9 We sent Messengers to the ancient people who lived before you. 10 And there never came an apostle to them but they mocked him. 11 This is how We make the mocking* enter the hearts of the guilty. (* The acts of disbelief.) 12 So, they will not believe in it: The example of former people is there. 13 If We were even to open for them a way to the heavens, and they could continually climb up to it in broad daylight, 14 They would surely say: "Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled. Nay, we are a people bewitched." 15