Those who disbelieved said to their Messengers: 'Return to our faith or we will banish you from our land' But Allah revealed to them: 'We shall destroy the harmdoers 13 and settle you on the land to succeed them. That is [in store] for anyone who is in awe of meeting Me, and who heeds My warnings." 14 But they sought victory and decision (there and then), and frustration was the lot of every powerful obstinate transgressor. 15 Before him is Hell, and he will get putrid liquid to drink. 16 In gulps will he sip it, but never will he be near swallowing it down his throat: death will come to him from every quarter, yet will he not die: and in front of him will be a chastisement unrelenting. 17 [This, then, is] the parable of those who are bent on denying their Sustainer: all their works are as ashes which the wind blows about fiercely on a stormy day: [in the life to come,] they cannot achieve any benefit whatever from all [the good] that they may have wrought: for this [denial of God] is indeed the farthest one can go astray. 18 Have you not seen that Allah has created the heavens and the earth with true purpose? If He wills, He can remove you all and bring a new creation. 19 And this is not at all difficult for Allah. 20 And they will come out [for judgement] before Allah all together, and the weak will say to those who were arrogant, "Indeed, we were your followers, so can you avail us anything against the punishment of Allah?" They will say, "If Allah had guided us, we would have guided you. It is all the same for us whether we show intolerance or are patient: there is for us no place of escape." 21