How many communities of evil-doers We have destroyed, raising up other people after them. 11 So when they felt Our punishment, lo! they began to fly 12 [and at the same time they seemed to hear a scornful voice]: "Do not try to flee, but return to all that [once] gave you pleasure and corrupted your whole being, and [return] to your homes, so that you might be called to account [for what you have done]!" 13 They said, 'Alas for us! We have been evildoers.' 14 So they kept saying this until We made them cut off, extinguished. 15 It was not in play that We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. 16 Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were 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 Whosoever is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him; and those who are near Him do not disdain to worship Him or weary (of His service), 19 They never fail to exalt Him either at night or in the day. 20 Or have they taken gods out of the earth who raise the dead? 21 Had there been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allah, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe. 22 He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 23 Have they taken gods other than Him? Say, (O Muhammad): "Bring forth your proof! Here is the Book with admonition for those of my time and there are also scriptures with admonition for people before me." But most people do not know the Truth, and have, therefore, turned away from it. 24 We never sent a Messenger before you except that We revealed to him saying: 'There is no god except Me, therefore, worship Me' 25 They say:' 'The All-merciful has taken to Him a son.' Glory be to Him! Nay, but they are honoured servants 26 who do not surpass Him in speech, and do as He commands. 27 He knows whatever is before them and whatsoever is remote from them and they do not intercede except for him, intercession on whose behalf pleases Him, and they stand constantly in awe of Him. 28 ۞ If any of them should say, "I am a god besides Him", such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong. 29