How many unjust towns did We destroy and replace them with other nations? 11 When they felt Our punishment coming upon them, they began to flee from it. 12 "Do not flee; go back to your halls of pleasure and your habitations, so that you may be interrogated." 13 They said: "Woe to us; surely we were wrong-doers." 14 And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is mown, as ashes silent and quenched. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play. 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 In fact We strike the truth against the false, which shatters it, and it disappears. Woe to you for what you attribute (to Him)! 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 They glorify Him night and day, without flagging. 20 Or have men taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]? 21 Had there been other deities in the heavens and the earth besides God, both the heavens and the earth would have been destroyed. God, the Lord of the Throne, is too Glorious to be as they think He is. 22 He is not to be questioned about what He does, but they shall be questioned. 23 Or have they taken for worship (other) gods besides him? Say, "Bring your convincing proof: this is the Message of those with me and the Message of those before me." But most of them know not the Truth, and so turn away. 24 And We did not send any Noble Messenger before you, but We divinely revealed to him that, “There is no God except I (Allah), therefore worship Me alone.” 25 And they say: The Beneficent Allah has taken to Himself a son. Glory be to Him. Nay! they are honored servants 26 that outstrip Him not in speech, and perform as He commands. 27 He knoweth whatsoever is before them and whatsoever is behind them; and they intercede not except for him whom He approveth, and in awe of Him they are fearful. 28 ۞ And whoever of them should say: Surely I am a god besides Him, such a one do We recompense with hell; thus do, We recompense the unjust. 29