How many a city that was evildoing We have shattered, and set up after it another people! 11 When they found Our torment approaching them they started to run away from the town. 12 Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account. 13 And they could only cry: "Oh, woe unto us! Verily, we were wrongdoers!" 14 And this ceased not to be their cry until We made them a harvest reaped, extinguished. 15 We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play. 16 Had We intended to take a pastime (i.e. a wife or a son, etc.), We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that). 17 Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe. 18 To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; and those who are with Him wax not too proud to do Him service neither grow weary, 19 They glorify (Him) night and day; they flag not. 20 Or have they taken (for worship) aliha (gods) from the earth who raise the dead? 21 Had there been gods in heaven or earth, other than Allah, both would indeed have been ruined. Exalted be Allah, Lord of the Throne, above that they describe. 22 He cannot be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned. 23 Have they taken gods besides God? Say: "Then bring your proof. Here is the Book of those who are with me, and the Book of those who have gone before me." But most men do not know the truth and turn away. 24 Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. 25 And they say; the Compassionate hath taken a son. Hallowed be He! aye! they are bondmen honoured. 26 They speak not until He hath spoken, and they act by His command. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede without His permission. Indeed they themselves stand in awe of Him. 28 ۞ And if any of them were to say: "Behold, I am deity beside Him" - that one We should requite with hell: thus do We requite all [such] evildoers. 29