How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 Yet, when they felt Our Punishment (coming), behold, they (tried to) flee from it. 12 Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account. 13 And they could only cry: "Oh, woe unto us! Verily, we were wrongdoers!" 14 And this they did not stop crying out until We made them stubble, silent, and still. 15 And We created not the heaven and the earth and that which is in between in play. 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 truth against falsehood and it prevails over it, and behold, falsehood vanishes away. Then woe to you for that you describe! 18 Unto Him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who dwell in His presence are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they weary; 19 glorifying Him by night and in the daytime and never failing. 20 And yet some people choose to worship certain earthly things or beings as deities that [are supposed to] resurrect [the dead; and they fail to realize that,] 21 Had there been gods in heaven or earth, other than Allah, both would indeed have been ruined. Exalted be Allah, Lord of the Throne, above that they describe. 22 He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 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 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 Beneficent (Allah) has begotten a son (or children)." Glory to Him! They [those whom they call children of Allah i.e. the angels, 'Iesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), 'Uzair (Ezra), etc.], are but honoured slaves. 26 They do not speak before He has, and they act only at His command. 27 He knows what is before them and behind them, and they intercede not save for him with whom He is well-pleased, and they tremble in awe of Him. 28 ۞ And if anyone of them were to claim: "Indeed I am a god apart from Him," We shall recompense both with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrong-doers. 29