How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 Then, when they perceived Our might, behold, they ran headlong out of 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: "Woe to us; surely we were wrong-doers." 14 Such was what they continued to say until We mowed them down and made them completely extinct. 15 And We did not create the heaven and earth and that between them in play. 16 Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so. 17 Nay, We hurl the Truth against falsehood, and it knocks out its brain, and behold, falsehood doth perish! Ah! woe be to you for the (false) things ye ascribe (to Us). 18 To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him (i.e. the angels) are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they weary (of His worship). 19 Nor cease to endeavour praising Him night and day. 20 Or have they taken gods from the earth who can raise the dead? 21 Had there been gods apart from God, both (the heavens and the earth) would have been despoiled. Much too glorious is God, the Lord of the mighty throne, for things they assert! 22 He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 23 Or have they taken gods apart from Him? Say: 'Bring your proof! This is the Remembrance of him who is with me, and the Remembrance of those before me. Nay, but the most part of them know not the truth, so therefore they are turning away. 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 a son!" Glory be to Him! They are only His honoured servants: 26 they do not try to speak ahead of Him, and they act at His command. 27 He knows all that is in front of them and all that is behind them. (These servants of God) will not intercede with Him for anyone without His permission and they tremble in awe (before His greatness). 28 ۞ And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am an ilah (a god) besides Him (Allah)," such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.). 29