The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-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 And never did We destroy a town but it had a term made known. 4 No nation will precede its term, nor will they remain thereafter. 5 And they say: O thou unto whom the admonition hath been sent down! verily thou art possessed. 6 Why do you not bring us the angels, if you should be among the truthful?" 7 We do not send down the angels (in frivolity); and when We do send them down, We do so with Truth; then people are granted no 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 certainly We sent (apostles) before you among the nations of yore. 10 And never came a Messenger to them but they did mock him. 11 We place in the hearts of sinners (disbelief). 12 So, they will not believe in it: The example of former people is there. 13 If We opened a gate in the heaven and they kept ascending through it, 14 They will say all the same: "Our eyes were dazed (and clouded over). We were a people ensorcelled." 15