And how many a city which was unjust have We shattered and produced after it another people. 11 Then, when they perceived Our chastisement they took to their heels and fled. 12 Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account. 13 They said, 'Alas for us! We have been evildoers.' 14 And this ceased not to be their cry until We made them a harvest reaped, extinguished. 15 And We did not create the heaven and earth and that between them in play. 16 If We had pleased to make a plaything We could have made it Ourself, if We had cared to do so. 17 But in fact We hurl the truth upon falsehood, so it scatters its brains – thereupon it vanishes; and for you is the ruin due to the matters you fabricate. 18 To Him belongs all those who are in the heavens and the earth. Those who are closer to Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they get tired of worshipping. 19 Nor cease to endeavour praising Him night and day. 20 Or have they taken gods out of the earth who raise the dead? 21 Had there been in between the twain gods except Allah surely the twain would have gone to ruin. Hallowed be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, from that which they utter! 22 None shall question Him about what He does, but they shall be questioned. 23 Or, have they taken gods besides Him? Say: Bring your proof; this is the reminder of those with me and the reminder of those before me. Nay! most of them do not know the truth, so they turn aside. 24 We have not sent an apostle before you without instructing him that there is no god but I, so worship Me. 25 They say 'The Merciful has taken a son' Exaltations to Him! No, they are only His honored worshipers, 26 they speak not until He has spoken unto them, and [whenever they act,] they act at His behest. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He likes, and they fear with awe of Him. (The Holy Prophets and virtuous people will be given the permission to intercede. Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – will be the first to intercede.) 28 ۞ The recompense of those of them who say that they are the Lord instead of God will be hell; thus, do We recompense the unjust ones. 29