And many a township did We destroy, for they were unjust, and We created other nations after them. 11 When they felt Our punishment coming upon them, they began to flee from it. 12 They were told, "Do not try to flee, but return to the comfort and luxuries in which you exulted and to the places where you lived, so that you may be questioned." 13 They said: "Ah! woe to us! We were indeed 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 Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between! 16 Had We wished to take to Us an amusement We would have taken it to Us from Ours had We done so. 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 And whoever is in the heavens and the earth is His; and those who are with Him are not proud to serve Him, nor do they grow weary. 19 They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. 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 Why, were there gods in earth and heaven other than God, they would surely go to ruin; so glory be to God, the Lord of the Throne, above that they describe! 22 He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned. 23 and yet, they choose to worship [imaginary] deities instead of Him! Say [O Prophet]: "Produce an evidence for what you are claiming: this is a reminder [unceasingly voiced] by those who are with me, just as it was a reminder [voiced] by those who came before me." But nay, most of them do not know the truth, and so they stubbornly turn away [from it] 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 All Merciful has taken a son!" Glory be to Him! They are only His honoured servants: 26 they speak not until He has spoken unto them, and [whenever they act,] they act at His behest. 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 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