And how many a town which was iniquitous did We demolish, and We raised up after it another people! 11 When they found Our torment approaching them they started to run away from the town. 12 [and at the same time they seemed to hear a scornful voice]: "Do not try to flee, but return to all that [once] gave you pleasure and corrupted your whole being, and [return] to your homes, so that you might be called to account [for what you have done]!" 13 They said: "Woe to us; surely we were wrong-doers." 14 And this remained their lament till We mowed them down and made them extinct. 15 AND [know that] We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle play: 16 Had We wished to take to Us an amusement We would have taken it to Us from Ours had We done so. 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 To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. Those who are with Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they ever wearied. 19 They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. 20 Have they appointed from the earth, Gods that create something? 21 Had there been in between the twain gods except Allah surely the twain would have gone to ruin. Hallowed be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, from that which they utter! 22 He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 23 Have they taken gods, other than Him? Say: 'Bring us your proof! Here is the Remembrance of he who is with me and the Remembrance of those before me' But no, most of them do not know the truth, therefore they turn away. 24 We sent all messengers before you with this revelation: "There is no deity save Me, so worship 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 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 ۞ And whosoever of them should say: verily I am a god beside Him, such a one We shall requite with Hell; thus We requite the wrong-doers. 29