How many a community that dealt unjustly have We shattered, and raised up after them another folk! 11 And when its inhabitants perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it. 12 We told them, "Do not run away. Come back to your luxuries and your houses so that you can be questioned". 13 They cried: Alas for us! we were wrong-doers. 14 And this ceased not to be their cry till We made them cut off, extinct. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth, and whatsoever between them is, as playing; 16 Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so. 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 They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so). 20 Have they taken deities from the earth who can bring the dead to life? 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 will not be questioned about anything He does, but all people will be questioned about their deeds. 23 Have they taken gods beside Him? Say thou: forth with your proof This is an admonition unto those with me and an admonition unto those before me. But most of them knew not the truth, and so they are averters. 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 Most Compassionate Lord has taken to Himself a son." Glory be to Him! Those whom they so designate are only His honoured servants. 26 These servants do not speak before He speaks. They simply act according to His orders. 27 He knows what is before them and behind them, and they intercede not save for him with whom He is well-pleased, and they tremble in 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