Surah Al-Hijr

Alif, Lām, Rā. These are the verses of the Book and a clear Qur’ān [i.e., recitation].

Perhaps those who disbelieve will wish that they had been Muslims.

Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by [false] hope, for they are going to know.

No nation will precede its term, nor will they remain thereafter.

Indeed, it is We who sent down the message [i.e., the Qur’ān], and indeed, We will be its guardian.

And We had certainly sent [messengers] before you, [O Muḥammad], among the sects of the former peoples.

Thus do We insert it [i.e., denial] into the hearts of the criminals.

They will not believe in it, while there has already occurred the precedent of the former peoples.

And We have placed within the heaven great stars and have beautified it for the observers.

And We have protected it from every devil expelled [from the mercy of Allāh]

Except one who steals a hearing and is pursued by a clear burning flame.

And indeed, it is We who give life and cause death, and We are the Inheritor.

And We have already known the preceding [generations] among you, and We have already known the later [ones to come].

And indeed, your Lord will gather them; indeed, He is Wise and Knowing.

And the jinn We created before from scorching fire.

So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely,

Except Iblees; he refused to be with those who prostrated.

[Allāh] said, "Then depart from it, for indeed, you are expelled.

And indeed, upon you is the curse until the Day of Recompense."

He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."

[Allāh] said, "So indeed, you are of those reprieved

Until the Day of the time well-known."

Except, among them, Your chosen servants."

[Allāh] said, "This is a path [of return] to Me [that is] straight.

And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all.

Indeed, the righteous will be within gardens and springs,

[Having been told], "Enter it in peace, safe [and secure]."

[O Muḥammad], inform My servants that it is I who am the Forgiving, the Merciful,

And that it is My punishment which is the painful punishment.

And inform them about the guests of Abraham,

[The angels] said, "Fear not. Indeed, we give you good tidings of a learned boy."

They said, "We have given you good tidings in truth, so do not be of the despairing."

[Abraham] said, "Then what is your business [here], O messengers?"

They said, "Indeed, we have been sent to a people of criminals,

Except the family of Lot; indeed, we will save them all

Except his wife." We [i.e., Allāh] decreed that she is of those who remain behind.

And when the messengers came to the family of Lot,

He said, "Indeed, you are people unknown."

They said, "But we have come to you with that about which they were disputing,

And we have come to you with truth, and indeed, we are truthful.

And the people of the city came rejoicing.

[Lot] said, "Indeed, these are my guests, so do not shame me.

And fear Allāh and do not disgrace me."

They said, "Have we not forbidden you from [protecting] people?"

[Lot] said, "These are my daughters - if you would be doers [of lawful marriage]."

By your life, [O Muḥammad], indeed they were, in their intoxication, wandering blindly.

So the shriek seized them at sunrise.

Indeed in that are signs for those who discern.

And indeed, they [i.e., those cities] are [situated] on an established road.

Indeed in that is a sign for the believers.

And the companions of the thicket [i.e., the people of Madyan] were [also] wrongdoers,

So We took retribution from them, and indeed, both [cities] are on a clear highway.

And certainly did the companions of al-Ḥijr [i.e., the Thamūd] deny the messengers.

And We gave them Our signs, but from them they were turning away.

And they used to carve from the mountains, houses, feeling secure.

But the shriek seized them at early morning,

So nothing availed them [from] what they used to earn.

Indeed, your Lord - He is the Knowing Creator.

And We have certainly given you, [O Muḥammad], seven of the often repeated [verses] and the great Qur’ān.

And say, "Indeed, I am the clear warner" -

Just as We had revealed [scriptures] to the separators

Who have made the Qur’ān into portions.

So by your Lord, We will surely question them all

About what they used to do.

Then declare what you are commanded and turn away from the polytheists.

Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the mockers

And We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say.

So exalt [Allāh] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him].

And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty [i.e., death].