How many habitations that were sinful have We demolished utterly, and raised other people after them. 11 Whensoever they sensed Our punishment they fled from them. 12 Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes, in order that you may be questioned. 13 "Woe, alas," they said, "we were really sinful." 14 And this their crying ceased not till We made them as reaped corn, extinct. 15 It was not in play that We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. 16 If We had pleased to make a plaything We could have made it Ourself, if We had cared to do so. 17 Nay, We hurl the Truth at falsehood so that the Truth crushes falsehood, and lo! it vanishes. Woe to you for what you utter! 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 And they hallow Him night and day, and they flag not. 20 Or have men taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]? 21 If there were therein gods beside Allah, then verily both (the heavens and the earth) had been disordered. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, from all that they ascribe (unto Him). 22 He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will 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 sent never a Messenger before thee except that We revealed to him, saying, 'There is no god but I; so serve Me.' 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 speak before He has, and they act only at His command. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves and for fear of Him they tremble. 28 ۞ The recompense of those of them who say that they are the Lord instead of God will be hell; thus, do We recompense the unjust ones. 29