How many a community that dealt unjustly have We shattered, and raised up after them another folk! 11 So when they felt Our punishment, lo! they began to fly 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 cried: Alas for us! we were wrong-doers. 14 And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is mown, as ashes silent and quenched. 15 We have not created the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them, out of fun. 16 Had We wanted to play games, We could have certainly done so with things at hand. 17 No, We hurl truth at falsehood, and it shall conquer it, and see, falsehood vanishes. Woe to you for all you have described. 18 And His is whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; and those nigh unto Him are not too stiff-necked for His worship nor are they weary. 19 they extol His limitless glory by night and by day, never flagging [therein]. 20 And yet some people choose to worship certain earthly things or beings as deities that [are supposed to] resurrect [the dead; and they fail to realize that,] 21 Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute to Him! 22 He will not be questioned about anything He does, but all people will be questioned about their deeds. 23 Have they taken gods other than Him? Say, (O Muhammad): "Bring forth your proof! Here is the Book with admonition for those of my time and there are also scriptures with admonition for people before me." But most people do not know the Truth, and have, therefore, turned away from it. 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 All-merciful has taken to Him a son.' Glory be to Him! Nay, but they are honoured servants 26 These servants do not speak before He speaks. They simply act according to His orders. 27 He knoweth whatsoever is before them and whatsoever is behind them; and they intercede not except for him whom He approveth, and in awe of Him they are fearful. 28 ۞ If any of them should say, "I am a god besides Him", such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong. 29