The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Alif. Lam. Ra. These are verses of the Scripture and a plain Reading. 1 Perchance the unbelievers will wish that they had surrendered: 2 Let them eat and enjoy; and let their hopes deceive them, soon they shall know. 3 We have never destroyed a township without a definite decree having been issued; 4 no people can forestall their doom, nor can they delay it. 5 They say: 'You to whom the Remembrance is sent down, you are indeed mad. 6 "Why do you not bring angels to us if you are of the truthful ones?" 7 But then We never send the angels down save with the purpose (of enforcing their doom), after which they will not be given more respite. 8 As for the Admonition, indeed it is We Who have revealed it and it is indeed We Who are its guardians. 9 We sent Messengers to the ancient people who lived before you. 10 but there was never a messenger who came to them but they mocked him: 11 Thus do We insert denial into the hearts of the criminals. 12 They do not believe in the Truth and they exactly follow the tradition of the ancient (unbelievers) 13 Even if We opened out to them a gate from heaven, and they were to continue (all day) ascending therein, 14 they would still say, "Our eyes have been dazzled. We are bewitched." 15