And how many a town which was iniquitous did We demolish, and We raised up after it another people! 11 And when its inhabitants perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it. 12 'Do not run away. Return to your luxury that you rejoiced in, and your homes in order that you be questioned' 13 "Woe, alas," they said, "we were really sinful." 14 And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is mown, as ashes silent and quenched. 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 pastime (i.e. a wife or a son, etc.), We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that). 17 Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe. 18 To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him (i.e. the angels) are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they weary (of His worship). 19 They glorify Him day and night without fail. 20 Have they chosen deities from earth? Can such deities give life to anyone? 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 questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 23 Or, have they taken gods besides Him? Say: Bring your proof; this is the reminder of those with me and the reminder of those before me. Nay! most of them do not know the truth, so they turn aside. 24 And We sent not before thee an apostle but We revealed unto him that there is no god but I, so worship Me. 25 And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants. 26 They speak not until He hath spoken, and they act by His command. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He likes, and they fear with awe of Him. (The Holy Prophets and virtuous people will be given the permission to intercede. Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – will be the first to intercede.) 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