And many a township did We destroy, for they were unjust, and We created other nations after them. 11 When they found Our torment approaching them they started to run away from the town. 12 We told them, "Do not run away. Come back to your luxuries and your houses so that you can be questioned". 13 They said, 'Alas for us! We have been evildoers.' 14 And this they did not stop crying out until We made them stubble, silent, and still. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play. 16 If We had wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence - if We ever did. 17 We bring forward the Truth to crush and destroy falsehood; it is doomed to be banished. Woe to you for your way of thinking about God! 18 And whoever is in the heavens and the earth is His; and those who are with Him are not proud to serve Him, nor do they grow weary. 19 Nor cease to endeavour praising Him night and day. 20 Or have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who can raise (the dead)? 21 If there had been in them any gods except Allah, they would both have certainly been in a state of disorder; therefore glory be to Allah, the Lord of the dominion, above what they attribute (to Him). 22 None shall question Him about what He does, but they shall be questioned. 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 All Merciful has taken a son!" Glory be to Him! They are only His honoured servants: 26 They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command. 27 He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them: hence, they cannot intercede for any but those whom He has [already] graced with His goodly acceptance, since they themselves stand in reverent awe of Him. 28 ۞ The recompense of those of them who say that they are the Lord instead of God will be hell; thus, do We recompense the unjust ones. 29