And how many a town which was iniquitous did We demolish, and We raised up after it another people! 11 Yet, when they felt Our Punishment (coming), behold, 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 Such was what they continued to say until We mowed them down and made them completely extinct. 15 We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play. 16 If We had wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence - if We ever did. 17 Nay, but We hurl the truth against falsehood and it prevails over it, and behold, falsehood vanishes away. Then woe to you for that you describe! 18 To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on the earth and those that are with Him are never too proud to worship Him, nor do they grow weary; 19 They exalt [Him] night and day [and] do not slacken. 20 Have they taken gods from the earth who raise the deed? 21 Had there been any gods in the heavens and the earth apart from Allah, the order of both the heavens and the earth would have gone to ruins. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the Throne, Who is far above their false descriptions of Him. 22 He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned. 23 Have they chosen other gods besides God? (Muhammad), ask them, "Show the proof (in support of such belief). This is (the Quran) which tells us about the (beliefs of the people) in my time and those who lived before me." Most of them do not know. Moreover, the truth is that they neglect (the question of belief altogether). 24 And We sent not before thee an apostle but We revealed unto him that there is no god but I, so worship Me. 25 They say 'The Merciful has taken a son' Exaltations to Him! No, they are only His honored worshipers, 26 They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. 27 He knows what was there before them and what came after them; and they did not intercede for any one but whom He willed, and they were filled with awe of Him. 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