For, how many a community that persisted in evildoing have We dashed into fragments, and raised another people in its stead! 11 And [every time,] as soon as they began to feel Our punishing might, lo! they tried to flee from it 12 [Some angels said], "Do not flee but return to where you were given luxury and to your homes - perhaps you will be questioned." 13 They said: "Woe to us; surely we were wrong-doers." 14 And this their crying ceased not till We made them as reaped corn, extinct. 15 It was not in play that We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. 16 If We had pleased to make a plaything We could have made it Ourself, if We had cared to do so. 17 Nay, We hurl the Truth at falsehood so that the Truth crushes falsehood, and lo! it vanishes. Woe to you for what you utter! 18 Unto Him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who dwell in His presence are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they weary; 19 they glorify Him night and day without tiring. 20 Have they taken deities from the earth who can bring the dead to life? 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 is not 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 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 And they say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour. 26 These servants do not speak before He speaks. They simply act according to His orders. 27 He knoweth whatsoever is before them and whatsoever is behind them; and they intercede not except for him whom He approveth, and in awe of Him they are fearful. 28 ۞ If any of them says, 'I am a god apart from Him', such a one We recompense with Gehenna; even so We recompense the evildoers. 29