And many a township did We destroy, for they were unjust, and We created other nations after them. 11 And, when they felt Our might, behold them fleeing from it! 12 [and at the same time they seemed to hear a scornful voice]: "Do not try to flee, but return to all that [once] gave you pleasure and corrupted your whole being, and [return] to your homes, so that you might be called to account [for what you have done]!" 13 They cried, “Woe to us, we were indeed unjust!” 14 And this they did not stop crying out until We made them stubble, silent, and still. 15 We did not create the heavens and the earth just for fun. 16 If We willed to choose a pastime, We could have chosen it from Ourselves – if We wanted to. 17 Nay! We cast the truth against the falsehood, so that it breaks its head, and lo! it vanishes; and woe to you for what you describe; 18 And His is whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; and those nigh unto Him are not too stiff-necked for His worship nor are they weary. 19 They glorify (Him) by night and day; they are never languid. 20 Or have they taken gods out of the earth who raise the dead? 21 Had there been other deities in the heavens and the earth besides God, both the heavens and the earth would have been destroyed. God, the Lord of the Throne, is too Glorious to be as they think He is. 22 He cannot be called to account for whatever He does, whereas they will be called to account: 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 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 Most Compassionate Lord has taken to Himself a son." Glory be to Him! Those whom they so designate are only His honoured servants. 26 they speak not until He has spoken unto them, and [whenever they act,] they act at His behest. 27 He knoweth what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him whom He accepteth, and they quake for awe of Him. 28 ۞ If any one of them says: 'I am a god other than Him' We will recompense him with Gehenna (Hell). As such We recompense the harmdoers. 29