How many unjust towns did We destroy and replace them with other nations? 11 Then, when they perceived Our chastisement they took to their heels and fled. 12 Do not fly (now) and come back to what you were made to lead easy lives in and to your dwellings, haply you will be questioned. 13 They said: "Ah! woe to us! We were indeed wrong-doers!" 14 and this they kept repeating until We caused them to become like a field mowed down, and reduced to ashes. 15 It was not in play that We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. 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 We bring forward the Truth to crush and destroy falsehood; it is doomed to be banished. Woe to you for your way of thinking about 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 And they hallow Him night and day, and they flag not. 20 Have they taken deities from the earth who can bring the dead to life? 21 Had there been any gods in the heavens and the earth apart from Allah, the order of both the heavens and the earth would have gone to ruins. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the Throne, Who is far above their false descriptions of Him. 22 None shall question Him about His works, but they shall be questioned. 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 sent all messengers before you with this revelation: "There is no deity save Me, so worship Me alone." 25 And they say: "The Most Beneficent (Allah) has begotten a son (or children)." Glory to Him! They [those whom they call children of Allah i.e. the angels, 'Iesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), 'Uzair (Ezra), etc.], are but honoured slaves. 26 They speak not until He hath spoken, and they act by His command. 27 He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him. 28 ۞ And if anyone of them were to claim: "Indeed I am a god apart from Him," We shall recompense both with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrong-doers. 29