How many a town (community), that were wrong-doers, have We destroyed, and raised up after them another people! 11 And when its inhabitants perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it. 12 (But it was said unto them): Flee not, but return to that (existence) which emasculated you and to your dwellings, that ye may be questioned. 13 And they could only cry: "Oh, woe unto us! Verily, we were wrongdoers!" 14 So they kept saying this until We made them cut off, extinguished. 15 Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between! 16 If We willed to choose a pastime, We could have chosen it from Ourselves – if We wanted to. 17 Nay, but We hurl the true against the false, and it doth break its head and lo! it vanisheth. And yours will be woe for that which ye ascribe (unto Him). 18 To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; and those who are with Him wax not too proud to do Him service neither grow weary, 19 They never fail to exalt Him either at night or in the day. 20 Have they chosen deities from earth? Can such deities give life to anyone? 21 If there had been in them any gods except Allah, they would both have certainly been in a state of disorder; therefore glory be to Allah, the Lord of the dominion, above what they attribute (to Him). 22 He shall be questioned not as to that which He doth, while they shall be questioned. 23 Have they taken gods besides God? Say: "Then bring your proof. Here is the Book of those who are with me, and the Book of those who have gone before me." But most men do not know the truth and turn away. 24 And We did not send before you any apostle but We revealed to him that there is no god but Me, therefore serve Me. 25 They say: "The Most Compassionate Lord has taken to Himself a son." Glory be to Him! Those whom they so designate are only His honoured servants. 26 They speak not until He hath spoken, and they act by His command. 27 He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive. 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