And how many a city which was unjust have We shattered and produced after it another people. 11 And [every time,] as soon as they began to feel Our punishing might, lo! they tried to flee from it 12 'Do not run away. Return to your luxury that you rejoiced in, and your homes in order that you be questioned' 13 They cried: Alas for us! we were wrong-doers. 14 And that cry of theirs did not cease until We caused them to become [like] a field mown down, still and silent as ashes. 15 We did not create the heavens and the earth just for fun. 16 If We had pleased to make a plaything We could have made it Ourself, if We had cared to do so. 17 Nay, but [by the very act of creation] We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it crushes the latter: and lo! it withers away. But woe unto you for all your [attempts at] defining [God] 18 for, unto Him belong all [beings] that are in the heavens and on earth; and those that are with Him are never too proud to worship Him and never grow weary [thereof]: 19 They glorify (Him) night and day; they flag not. 20 Or, have they taken earthly gods who revive the dead? 21 Had there been other deities in the heavens and the earth besides God, both the heavens and the earth would have been destroyed. God, the Lord of the Throne, is too Glorious to be as they think He is. 22 He will not be questioned about anything He does, but all people will be questioned about their deeds. 23 Or have they set up other Gods besides Allah? Say, “Bring your proof; this is the remembrance of those with me and those before me”; but in fact most of them do not know the Truth, so they turn away. 24 To all the Messengers that were sent before you We revealed that I am the only God to be worshipped. 25 They say 'The Merciful has taken a son' Exaltations to Him! No, they are only His honored worshipers, 26 they do not try to speak ahead of Him, and they act at His command. 27 He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive. 28 ۞ If any one of them says: 'I am a god other than Him' We will recompense him with Gehenna (Hell). As such We recompense the harmdoers. 29