The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Alif-Lam-Ra. These are the verses of the Book, and a Qur'an luminous. 1 It may be that those who disbelieve wish ardently that they were Muslims. 2 Leave them alone; let them eat and enjoy themselves the while the hope [of vain delights] beguiles them: for in time they will come to know [the truth]. 3 And never did We destroy a township but there was a known decree for it. 4 No nation can outstrip its term nor can they lag behind. 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 angels upon us if you are indeed truthful?" 7 We do not send down angels except for a genuine purpose, at which time none will be given any further respite. 8 It is We who sent down the Koran, and We watch over it. 9 And assuredly We have sent apostles before thee among the sects of the ancients. 10 And no messenger would come to them except that they ridiculed him. 11 Thus do We insert denial into the hearts of the criminals. 12 They believe not therein, and already the example of the ancients hath gone forth. 13 And even if We opened unto them a gate of heaven and they kept mounting through it, 14 they would surely have said, "It is only our eyes that are spellbound! Nay, we have been bewitched! 15