How many habitations that were sinful have We demolished utterly, and raised other people after them. 11 And when they tasted Our punishment, they immediately started fleeing from it. 12 Flee not, and return unto that wherein ye luxuriated and your habitations, haply ye will be questioned. 13 "Woe, alas," they said, "we were really sinful." 14 and this they kept repeating until We caused them to become like a field mowed down, and reduced to ashes. 15 And We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, unnecessarily. 16 If it had been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We should surely have taken it from the things nearest to Us, if We would do (such a thing)! 17 Aye! We hurl truth against falsehood, so that it braineth it, and lo! it vanisheth; and to you be the woe for that which ye utter! 18 Whosoever is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him; and those who are near Him do not disdain to worship Him or weary (of His service), 19 They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. 20 Or have they taken gods out of the earth who raise the dead? 21 If other than Allah, there were gods* in the heavens and the earth, they would be destroyed; therefore Purity is to Allah, Owner of the Throne, from the matters that they fabricate. (* Which is not possible.) 22 He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 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 Never did We send any Messenger before you to whom We did not reveal: "There is no god but Me. So serve Me alone." 25 They say:' 'The All-merciful has taken to Him a son.' Glory be to Him! Nay, but they are honoured servants 26 that outstrip Him not in speech, and perform as He commands. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them. They intercede for none except for him whom He is well pleased, and they tremble in awe of Him. 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