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 We told them, "Do not run away. Come back to your luxuries and your houses so that you can be questioned". 13 "Woe, alas," they said, "we were really sinful." 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 whatsoever between them is, as playing; 16 Had We wished to make a diversion, We would have made it from before Ourselves: by no means would We do (it). 17 Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe. 18 To Him belongs all those who are in the heavens and the earth. Those who are closer to Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they get tired of worshipping. 19 They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. 20 Or, have they taken earthly gods who revive the dead? 21 Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute to Him! 22 He cannot be questioned concerning what He does and they shall be questioned. 23 Have they chosen other gods besides God? (Muhammad), ask them, "Show the proof (in support of such belief). This is (the Quran) which tells us about the (beliefs of the people) in my time and those who lived before me." Most of them do not know. Moreover, the truth is that they neglect (the question of belief altogether). 24 Never did We send any Messenger before you to whom We did not reveal: "There is no god but Me. So serve Me alone." 25 And yet they say: "Ar-Rahman has begotten a son." Too exalted is He! In fact, those (they call His sons) were His honoured votaries. 26 They did not precede Him in their speech, and acted on His command. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede without His permission. Indeed they themselves stand 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