And many a township did We destroy, for they were unjust, and We created other nations after them. 11 And when its inhabitants perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it. 12 Flee not, and return unto that wherein ye luxuriated and your habitations, haply ye will be questioned. 13 They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers." 14 They did not cease to cry this until We reduced them to stubble, still and silent. 15 AND [know that] We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle play: 16 [for,] had We willed to indulge in a pastime, We would indeed have produced it from within Ourselves - if such had been Our will at all! 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 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 They glorify Him day and night without fail. 20 Have they taken earthly gods who are such that they raise up the dead to life? 21 Had there been gods apart from God, both (the heavens and the earth) would have been despoiled. Much too glorious is God, the Lord of the mighty throne, for things they assert! 22 He will not be questioned about anything He does, but all people will be questioned about their deeds. 23 Have they taken gods beside Him? Say thou: forth with your proof This is an admonition unto those with me and an admonition unto those before me. But most of them knew not the truth, and so they are averters. 24 and [this despite the fact that even] before thy time We never sent any apostle without having revealed to him that there is no deity save Me, - [and that,] therefore, you shall worship Me [alone]! 25 They say 'The Merciful has taken a son' Exaltations to Him! No, they are only His honored worshipers, 26 They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command. 27 He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them: hence, they cannot intercede for any but those whom He has [already] graced with His goodly acceptance, since they themselves stand in reverent 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