How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 Whensoever they sensed Our punishment they fled from them. 12 The angels said to them, “Do not flee and return to the comforts that were given to you and to your homes, perhaps you will be questioned.” 13 They said: "Woe to us; surely we were wrong-doers." 14 And this ceased not to be their cry until We made them a harvest reaped, extinguished. 15 And We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, unnecessarily. 16 Had We intended that We should choose a sport, surely We would choose it from before Us - if We were ever going to do that. 17 Nay! We cast the truth against the falsehood, so that it breaks its head, and lo! it vanishes; and woe to you for what 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 night and day without tiring. 20 Or have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who can raise (the dead)? 21 If other than Allah, there were gods* in the heavens and the earth, they would be destroyed; therefore Purity is to Allah, Owner of the Throne, from the matters that they fabricate. (* Which is not possible.) 22 He shall be questioned not as to that which He doth, while they shall be questioned. 23 Have they taken other deities besides Him? Say to them, "Bring your proofs. This is the reminder of those who are with me and the reminder of those who were before me." But most of them do not know the truth, and so they turn away from it. 24 Never did We send any Messenger before you to whom We did not reveal: "There is no god but Me. So serve Me alone." 25 And they say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour. 26 They precede Him not in words, and by His command they work. 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 ۞ 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