And how many a town which was iniquitous did We demolish, and We raised up after it another people! 11 When they felt Our punishment coming upon them, they began to flee from it. 12 Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes, in order that you may be questioned. 13 They said, 'Alas for us! We have been evildoers.' 14 They did not cease to cry this until We reduced them to stubble, still and silent. 15 And We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, unnecessarily. 16 Had We wanted to play games, We could have certainly done so with things at hand. 17 Nay, We hurl the Truth at falsehood so that the Truth crushes falsehood, and lo! it vanishes. Woe to you for what you utter! 18 Whosoever is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him; and those who are near Him do not disdain to worship Him or weary (of His service), 19 They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so). 20 Have they taken earthly gods who are such that they raise up the dead to life? 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 shall not be questioned as to what He does, but they shall he questioned. 23 Have they taken gods beside Him? Say thou: forth with your proof This is an admonition unto those with me and an admonition unto those before me. But most of them knew not the truth, and so they are averters. 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 They say 'The Merciful has taken a son' Exaltations to Him! No, they are only His honored worshipers, 26 They do not precede Him in speech and (only) according to His commandment do they act. 27 He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory). 28 ۞ And if any of them were to say: "Behold, I am deity beside Him" - that one We should requite with hell: thus do We requite all [such] evildoers. 29