The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ A. L. R. These are the Ayats of Revelation,- of a Qur'an that makes things clear. 1 Oft times would those who disbelieve fain 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 And We destroyed no township but there was a known decree for it. 4 Neither can a people anticipate its term, nor delay it. 5 And they say, "O you upon whom the message has been sent down, indeed you are mad. 6 Why do you not bring down the angels upon us, if you are 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 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 And no messenger would come to them except that they ridiculed him. 11 So We make it enter the hearts of the sinners. 12 They do not believe in the Truth and they exactly follow the tradition of the ancient (unbelievers) 13 And even if We open to them a gateway of heaven, so that they ascend into it all the while, 14 They would only say: "Our eyes have been intoxicated: Nay, we have been bewitched by sorcery." 15