The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the Book and a clear Qur'an. 1 And it will come to pass that those who are [now] bent on denying this truth will wish that they had surrendered themselves to God [in their life time]. 2 leave them to eat, and to take their joy, and to be bemused by hope; certainly they will soon know! 3 We have never destroyed a township without a definite decree having been issued; 4 No nation can outstrip its term, nor do they put it back. 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 If you are a man of truth, why can't you bring the angels to us?" 7 We send not down the angels save with the Fact, and in that case (the disbelievers) would not be tolerated. 8 We Ourselves have revealed the Quran and We are its Protectors. 9 We have sent forth before you Messengers among the factions of the ancients. 10 But never once an apostle came to them at whom they did not scoff. 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 who do not believe in it, although the way which those [evildoers] of olden times had to go has long been within their ken. 13 And even if We opened unto them a gate of heaven and they kept mounting through it, 14 They would certainly say: Only our eyes have been covered over, rather we are an enchanted people. 15