How many a community that dealt unjustly have We shattered, and raised up after them another folk! 11 Yet, when they felt Our Punishment (coming), behold, they (tried to) flee from it. 12 They were told, "Do not try to flee, but return to the comfort and luxuries in which you exulted and to the places where you lived, so that you may be questioned." 13 "Woe, alas," they said, "we were really sinful." 14 And that cry of theirs did not cease until We caused them to become [like] a field mown down, still and silent as ashes. 15 It was not in play that We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. 16 had We desired to take to Us a diversion We would have taken it to Us from Ourselves, had We done aught. 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 whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. Those who are with Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they ever wearied. 19 They exalt [Him] night and day [and] do not slacken. 20 Or have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who can raise (the dead)? 21 had there been in heaven or on earth any deities other than God, both [those realms would surely have fallen into ruin! But limitless in His glory is God, enthroned in His awesome almightiness far] above anything that men may devise by way of definition! 22 He will not be questioned as to that which He doeth, but they will be questioned. 23 Have they taken gods beside Him? Say thou: forth with your proof This is an admonition unto those with me and an admonition unto those before me. But most of them knew not the truth, and so they are averters. 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 to Him a son.' Glory be to Him! Nay, but they are honoured servants 26 they speak not until He has spoken unto them, and [whenever they act,] they act at His behest. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves and for fear of Him they tremble. 28 ۞ If any of them should say, "I am a god besides Him", such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong. 29