The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ A. L. R. These are the Ayats of Revelation,- of a Qur'an that makes things clear. 1 Oft times would those who disbelieve fain that they had been Muslims. 2 leave them to eat, and to take their joy, and to be bemused by hope; certainly they will soon know! 3 Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand. 4 No people can outstrip the term for its destruction nor can it delay it. 5 And yet they say: "You, to whom this Exposition has been sent are surely possessed of the Devil. 6 Why do you not bring down the angels, if what you say is true' 7 We do not send down the angels except with truth; and the disbelievers would not then be reprieved. 8 Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). 9 We sent Messengers to the ancient people who lived before you. 10 And no messenger would come to them except that they ridiculed him. 11 thus We cause this [habit of mocking] to enter into the hearts of the sinful. 12 They believe not therein, and already the example of the ancients hath gone forth. 13 And even if We open to them a gateway of heaven, so that they ascend into it all the while, 14 They would say: Our sight is wrong - nay, but we are folk bewitched. 15