And how many a town which was iniquitous did We demolish, and We raised up after it another people! 11 And [every time,] as soon as they began to feel Our punishing might, lo! they tried to flee from it 12 (They were told): "Flee not, but return to your comforts and to your dwellings. You are likely to be questioned." 13 They cried: Alas for us! we were wrong-doers. 14 And this ceased not to be their cry until We made them a harvest reaped, extinguished. 15 And We created not the heaven and the earth and that which is in between 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 Nay, but We hurl the truth against falsehood and it prevails over it, and behold, falsehood vanishes away. Then woe to you for that you describe! 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 say His Purity night and day, and do not slacken. 20 Or have they taken (for worship) aliha (gods) from the earth who raise the dead? 21 Had there been in between the twain gods except Allah surely the twain would have gone to ruin. Hallowed be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, from that which they utter! 22 He cannot be called to account for whatever He does, whereas they will be called to account: 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 And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad SAW) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)." 25 And [yet,] some say: "The Most Gracious has taken unto Himself a son"! Limitless is He in His glory! Nay, [those whom they regard as God's "offspring" are but His] honoured servants: 26 they do not try to speak ahead of Him, and they act at His command. 27 He knows what was there before them and what came after them; and they did not intercede for any one but whom He willed, and they were filled with awe of Him. 28 ۞ And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am an ilah (a god) besides Him (Allah)," such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.). 29