The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ ALIF LAM RA. These are the verses of the Book and the perspicuous oration. 1 Perhaps those who disbelieve will wish that they had been Muslims. 2 Leave them alone, to enjoy (the good things of this life) and to please themselves: let (false) hope amuse them: soon will knowledge (undeceive them). 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 And they say: O thou unto whom the Reminder is revealed, lo! thou art indeed a madman! 6 Why dost thou not bring before us angels, if thou art a man of truth? 7 But then We never send the angels down save with the purpose (of enforcing their doom), after which they will not be given more respite. 8 Behold, it is We Ourselves who have bestowed from on high, step by step, this reminder; and behold, it is We who shall truly guard it [from all corruption]. 9 We sent messengers before you to the previous peoples, 10 And not an apostle came unto them but at him they were wont to mock. 11 Even so We make a way for it (that is, the Admonition) in the hearts of the culprits (like a hot rod); 12 They will not believe in it, while there has already occurred the precedent of the former peoples. 13 If We opened a gate in the heaven and they kept ascending through it, 14 They would surely say: intoxicated have been our sights; aye! we are a people enchanted. 15