And how many a town which was iniquitous did We demolish, and We raised up after it another people! 11 Whensoever they sensed Our punishment they fled from them. 12 Do not fly (now) and come back to what you were made to lead easy lives in and to your dwellings, haply you will be questioned. 13 And they could only cry: "Oh, woe unto us! Verily, we were wrongdoers!" 14 And this remained their lament till We mowed them down and made them extinct. 15 We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play. 16 If We had wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence - if We ever did. 17 Nay, but We hurl the truth against falsehood and it prevails over it, and behold, falsehood vanishes away. Then woe to you for that you describe! 18 To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. Those who are with Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they ever wearied. 19 They exalt [Him] night and day [and] do not slacken. 20 Or have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who can 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 about what He does, but they will be questioned. 23 Have they taken gods besides God? Say: "Then bring your proof. Here is the Book of those who are with me, and the Book of those who have gone before me." But most men do not know the truth and turn away. 24 Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. 25 And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants. 26 They did not precede Him in their speech, and acted on His command. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves and for fear of Him they tremble. 28 ۞ And whoever of them should say: Surely I am a god besides Him, such a one do We recompense with hell; thus do, We recompense the unjust. 29