The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. These are the Verses of the Book, and a plain Quran. 1 Perchance the unbelievers will wish that they had surrendered: 2 Leave them to eat and enjoy, and for aspiration to involve them in play – so they will shortly come to know. 3 And never did We destroy a township but there was a known decree for it. 4 No nation will precede its term, nor will they remain thereafter. 5 And they say: O you to whom the Reminder has been revealed! you are most surely insane: 6 Why do you not bring down the angels, if what you say is true' 7 We do not send angels except with the truth. Then they shall have no respite. 8 Lo! We, even We, reveal the Reminder, and lo! We verily are its Guardian. 9 And assuredly We have sent apostles before thee among the sects of the ancients. 10 and not a single Messenger came to them, but they mocked at him; 11 Thus do We let it (polytheism and disbelief) enter into the hearts of the Mujrimun [criminals, polytheists, pagans, etc. (because of their mockery at the Messengers)]. 12 They would not believe in it (the Quran), and already the example of (Allah's punishment of) the ancients (who disbelieved) has gone forth. 13 And even if We open to them a gateway of heaven, so that they ascend into it all the while, 14 they would have said, "Our eyes are bewildered and we have been affected by magic." 15