The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. These are the Verses of the Book, and a plain Quran. 1 The disbelievers will ardently wish that if only they had been Muslims! (At the time of death / in their graves / on the Day of Resurrection.) 2 Leave them to eat and enjoy life and let false hopes amuse them. They will soon come to know. 3 Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand. 4 [but remember that] no community can ever forestall [the end of] its term - and neither can they delay [it]. 5 (The unbelievers have said), "You to whom the Quran has been revealed are insane. 6 Why do you not bring to us the angels if you are of the truthful ones? 7 We send not the angels down save with judgment, and then they would not be respited. 8 We have sent down this Exposition, and We will guard it. 9 Indeed, We sent Messengers before thee, among the factions of the ancients, 10 And there never came an apostle to them but they mocked him. 11 Even so do We [now] cause this [scorn of Our message] to pervade the hearts of those who are lost in sin, 12 They believe not therein, and already the example of the ancients hath gone forth. 13 If We were even to open for them a way to the heavens, and they could continually climb up to it in broad daylight, 14 They will say all the same: "Our eyes were dazed (and clouded over). We were a people ensorcelled." 15