How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 Then when they perceived Our violence, lo! they were from it fleeing. 12 We told them, "Do not run away. Come back to your luxuries and your houses so that you can be questioned". 13 They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers." 14 And this ceased not to be their cry till We made them cut off, extinct. 15 And We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, unnecessarily. 16 Had it been Our will to find a pastime, We would have found one near at hand; if at all We were inclined 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 And to Him only belong all those who are in the heavens and in the earth; and those with Him are not conceited towards worshipping Him, nor do they tire. 19 Nor cease to endeavour praising Him night and day. 20 Or have they taken gods out of the earth who raise the dead? 21 If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him! 22 He cannot be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned. 23 Or have they chosen other gods beside Him? say: Bring your proof (of their godhead). This is the Reminder of those with me and those before me, but most of them know not the Truth and so they are averse. 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 who do not surpass Him in speech, and do as He commands. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves and for fear of Him they tremble. 28 ۞ And the one among them who says, “I am a God beside Allah” – We shall reward him with hell; this is how We punish the unjust. 29