How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 And when its inhabitants perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it. 12 Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account. 13 They said: "Ah! woe to us! We were indeed wrong-doers!" 14 They did not cease to cry this until We reduced them to stubble, still and silent. 15 We have not created the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them, out of fun. 16 If it had been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We should surely have taken it from the things nearest to Us, if We would do (such a thing)! 17 Nay, but We hurl the true against the false, and it doth break its head and lo! it vanisheth. And yours will be woe for that which ye ascribe (unto Him). 18 To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire. 19 They never fail to exalt Him either at night or in the day. 20 Have they appointed from the earth, Gods that create something? 21 Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe. 22 He will not be questioned as to that which He doeth, but they will be questioned. 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 And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." 25 And they say: The Beneficent Allah has taken to Himself a son. Glory be to Him. Nay! they are honored servants 26 They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. 27 He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them: hence, they cannot intercede for any but those whom He has [already] graced with His goodly acceptance, since they themselves stand in reverent awe of Him. 28 ۞ And one of them who should say: Lo! I am a god beside Him, that one We should repay with hell. Thus We Repay wrong-doers. 29