The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ Alif. Lam. Ra'. These are the verses of the Book, and a Clear Qur'an. 1 Oft times would those who disbelieve fain that they had been Muslims. 2 so leave them to eat and enjoy themselves and let them be beguiled by vain hopes; for soon they will realise [the truth]. 3 And never did We destroy a town but it had a term made known. 4 No people can outstrip the term for its destruction nor can it delay it. 5 And yet, they [who deny the truth] say: "O thou unto whom this reminder has [allegedly] been bestowed from on high: verily, thou art mad! 6 "Why bringest thou not angels to us if it be that thou hast the Truth?" 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 Indeed We have sent down the Qur’an, and indeed We Ourselves surely are its Guardians. (This is one of the miracles of the Qur’an – no one has been able to change even one letter of its text, despite every effort. It has remained in its original form since the 6th Century (A. D) and will remain so forever. Other Holy Books such as the Torah and the Bible have lost their originality.) 9 And We had certainly sent [messengers] before you, [O Muhammad], among the sects of the former peoples. 10 But no Messenger came to them except he was mocked. 11 This is how We make the mocking* enter the hearts of the guilty. (* The acts of disbelief.) 12 They believe not therein, though the example of the men of old hath gone before. 13 And even if We opened unto them a gate of heaven and they kept mounting through it, 14 They would say, "Our eyes have only been dazzled. Rather, we are a people affected by magic." 15