How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 And when they tasted Our punishment, they immediately started fleeing from it. 12 We told them, "Do not run away. Come back to your luxuries and your houses so that you can be questioned". 13 They said: O woe to us! surely we were unjust. 14 Such was what they continued to say until We mowed them down and made them completely extinct. 15 We did not create the heavens and the earth just for fun. 16 If We had wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence - if We ever did. 17 Nay! We cast the truth against the falsehood, so that it breaks its head, and lo! it vanishes; and woe to you for what you describe; 18 To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire. 19 They glorify Him night and day, without flagging. 20 Or have they chosen gods from the earth who raise the dead? 21 If other than Allah, there were gods* in the heavens and the earth, they would be destroyed; therefore Purity is to Allah, Owner of the Throne, from the matters that they fabricate. (* Which is not possible.) 22 He is not questioned whatever He does, whereas they will all be questioned. 23 Have they taken other deities besides Him? Say to them, "Bring your proofs. This is the reminder of those who are with me and the reminder of those who were before me." But most of them do not know the truth, and so they turn away from it. 24 And We did not send any Noble Messenger before you, but We divinely revealed to him that, “There is no God except I (Allah), therefore worship Me alone.” 25 And they say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour. 26 They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. 27 He knows what is before them and behind them, and they intercede not save for him with whom He is well-pleased, and they tremble in awe of Him. 28 ۞ And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am an ilah (a god) besides Him (Allah)," such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.). 29