The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Alif-Lam-Ra. These are the verses of the Book, and a Qur'an luminous. 1 Often will those who disbelieve wish that they had been Muslims. 2 so leave them to eat and enjoy themselves and let them be beguiled by vain hopes; for soon they will realise [the truth]. 3 Not one habitation have We destroyed but at the time determined for it. 4 No nation can outstrip its term, nor do they put it back. 5 They say: "O you to whom the Admonition has been revealed, you are surely crazed. 6 Why dost thou not bring the angels unto us, if thou speakest truly?' 7 We send not down the angels, save with truth; 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 not a single Messenger came to them, but they mocked at him; 11 So We make it enter the hearts of the sinners. 12 They believe not therein, and already the example of the ancients hath gone forth. 13 If We opened a gate in the heaven and they kept ascending through it, 14 they would still say, "Our eyes have been dazzled. We are bewitched." 15