The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ Alif-Lam-Ra; these are verses of the Book and the bright Qur’an. 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 Whenever We destroyed a town, a definite term had previously been decreed for it. 4 and no nation outstrips its term, nor do they put it back. 5 And they say, "O you upon whom the message has been sent down, indeed you are mad. 6 Why do you not bring down the angels if what you say is true". 7 We do not send down angels without reason, and if the angels descend they would not get any 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 We did send messengers before thee amongst the religious sects of old: 10 And whenever a Messenger came to them, they never failed to mock him. 11 Even so do we let it creep into the hearts of the sinners - 12 They will not believe in it, while there has already occurred the precedent of the former peoples. 13 Had We opened a door for them in the sky through which they could easily pass, 14 They would surely say: intoxicated have been our sights; aye! we are a people enchanted. 15