The Hijjr Valley (Al-Hijjr)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ ALIF LAM RA. These are the verses of the Book and the perspicuous oration. 1 Often will those who disbelieve wish 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 nation can anticipate its term, nor delay it. 5 And yet, they [who deny the truth] say: "O thou unto whom this reminder has [allegedly] been bestowed from on high: verily, thou art mad! 6 Why do you not bring down the angels, if what you say is true' 7 We send not the angels down except with the truth (i.e. for torment, etc.), and in that case, they (the disbelievers) would have no respite! 8 We have sent down this Exposition, and We will guard it. 9 And certainly We sent (apostles) before you among the nations of yore. 10 But never came a messenger to them but they mocked him. 11 even so We cause it to enter into the hearts of the sinners -- 12 They believe not therein, and already the example of the ancients hath gone forth. 13 And if We opened upon them a door of the heaven, and they passed the day mounting thereto. 14 They would certainly say: Only our eyes have been covered over, rather we are an enchanted people. 15