How many a town (community), that were wrong-doers, have We destroyed, and raised up after them another people! 11 Then, when they perceived Our chastisement they took to their heels and fled. 12 The angels said to them, “Do not flee and return to the comforts that were given to you and to your homes, perhaps you will be questioned.” 13 They said: 'Alas for us we were harmdoers' 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, 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 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 extol His limitless glory by night and by day, never flagging [therein]. 20 Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise (the dead). 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 cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 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 We never sent a Messenger before you except that We revealed to him saying: 'There is no god except Me, therefore, worship Me' 25 They say 'The Merciful has taken a son' Exaltations to Him! No, they are only His honored worshipers, 26 They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He likes, and they fear with awe of Him. (The Holy Prophets and virtuous people will be given the permission to intercede. Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – will be the first to intercede.) 28 ۞ And if any of them were to say: "Behold, I am deity beside Him" - that one We should requite with hell: thus do We requite all [such] evildoers. 29