And how many a city which was unjust have We shattered and produced after it another people. 11 And [every time,] as soon as they began to feel Our punishing might, lo! they tried to flee from it 12 'Do not run away. Return to your luxury that you rejoiced in, and your homes in order that you be questioned' 13 They said, 'Alas for us! We have been evildoers.' 14 And this they did not stop crying out until We made them stubble, silent, and still. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play. 16 Had We wished to find a pastime, We would surely have found it in that which is with Us, if such had been Our will. 17 But in fact We hurl the truth upon falsehood, so it scatters its brains – thereupon it vanishes; and for you is the ruin due to the matters you fabricate. 18 And to Him only belong all those who are in the heavens and in the earth; and those with Him are not conceited towards worshipping Him, nor do they tire. 19 they extol His limitless glory by night and by day, never flagging [therein]. 20 Or have men taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]? 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 cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 23 Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, [O Muhammad], "Produce your proof. This [Qur'an] is the message for those with me and the message of those before me." But most of them do not know the truth, so 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 outstrip Him in speech and only act as He commands. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He likes, and they fear with awe of Him. (The Holy Prophets and virtuous people will be given the permission to intercede. Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – will be the first to intercede.) 28 ۞ If any one of them said: "I am God besides Him," We should award him Hell; for this is how We requite the evil-doers. 29