How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 And, when they felt Our might, behold them fleeing from it! 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 And they could only cry: "Oh, woe unto us! Verily, we were wrongdoers!" 14 And this remained their lament till We mowed them down and made them extinct. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play. 16 had We desired to take to Us a diversion We would have taken it to Us from Ourselves, had We done aught. 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 dwells in the heavens and on earth. Those (angels) that are with Him neither disdain to serve Him out of pride, nor do they weary of it. 19 glorifying Him by night and in the daytime and never failing. 20 Have they taken gods from the earth who raise the deed? 21 Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe. 22 He will not be questioned about anything He does, but all people will be questioned about their deeds. 23 Or, have they taken gods besides Him? Say: Bring your proof; this is the reminder of those with me and the reminder of those before me. Nay! most of them do not know the truth, so they turn aside. 24 We sent all messengers before you with this revelation: "There is no deity save Me, so worship Me alone." 25 And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants. 26 They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. 27 He knows whatever is before them and whatsoever is remote from them and they do not intercede except for him, intercession on whose behalf pleases Him, and they stand constantly in awe of Him. 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