The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the 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 to eat and enjoy life and let false hopes amuse them. They will soon come to know. 3 And never did We destroy a township but there was a known decree for it. 4 Neither can a people anticipate its term, nor delay it. 5 They say: "O thou to whom the Message is being revealed! truly thou art mad (or possessed)! 6 Why do you not bring down angels upon us if you are indeed truthful?" 7 We send not the angels down save with judgment, and then they would not be respited. 8 Lo! We, even We, reveal the Reminder, and lo! We verily are its Guardian. 9 We did send messengers before thee amongst the religious sects of old: 10 but there was never a messenger who came 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 they believe not in it, though the wont of the ancients is already gone. 13 Yet even had We opened to them a gateway to heaven and they had ascended, on and on, up to it, 14 They would surely say: intoxicated have been our sights; aye! we are a people enchanted. 15