The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ 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 Oft times would those who disbelieve fain that they had been Muslims. 2 Let them eat and enjoy life, and let (false) hope beguile them. They will come to know! 3 We never destroyed any town without pre-ordaining the fate of its people. 4 No group may advance its appointed promise nor postpone 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 angels to 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 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 did send messengers before thee amongst the religious sects of old: 10 No Messenger went to them whom they did not mock. 11 Even so do We [now] cause this [scorn of Our message] to pervade the hearts of those who are lost in sin, 12 They do not believe in the Truth and they exactly follow the tradition of the ancient (unbelievers) 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 still have said: "Surely our eyes have been dazzled; rather, we have been enchanted." 15