How many unjust towns did We destroy and replace them with other nations? 11 So when they felt Our punishment, lo! they began to fly 12 (They were told): "Flee not, but return to your comforts and to your dwellings. You are likely to be questioned." 13 They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers." 14 And this their crying ceased not till We made them as reaped corn, extinct. 15 We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play. 16 Had We wanted to play games, We could have certainly done so with things at hand. 17 Nay, but [by the very act of creation] We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it crushes the latter: and lo! it withers away. But woe unto you for all your [attempts at] defining [God] 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 Nor cease to endeavour praising Him night and day. 20 Or have they taken (for worship) aliha (gods) from the earth who raise the dead? 21 Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe. 22 None shall question Him about what He does, but they shall be questioned. 23 Or have they taken for worship (other) gods besides him? Say, "Bring your convincing proof: this is the Message of those with me and the Message of those before me." But most of them know not the Truth, and so turn away. 24 To all the Messengers that were sent before you We revealed that I am the only God to be worshipped. 25 They say, "The All Merciful has taken a son!" Glory be to Him! They are only His honoured servants: 26 They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command. 27 He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory). 28 ۞ And one of them who should say: Lo! I am a god beside Him, that one We should repay with hell. Thus We Repay wrong-doers. 29