For, how many a community that persisted in evildoing have We dashed into fragments, and raised another people in its stead! 11 And, when they felt Our might, behold them fleeing from it! 12 (But it was said unto them): Flee not, but return to that (existence) which emasculated you and to your dwellings, that ye may be questioned. 13 They cried: Alas for us! we were wrong-doers. 14 And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is mown, as ashes silent and quenched. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth, and whatsoever between them is, as playing; 16 If We willed to choose a pastime, We could have chosen it from Ourselves – if We wanted to. 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 And His is whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; and those nigh unto Him are not too stiff-necked for His worship nor are they weary. 19 They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. 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 If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him! 22 He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned. 23 Or have they taken for worship (other) gods besides him? Say, "Bring your convincing proof: this is the Message of those with me and the Message of those before me." But most of them know not the Truth, and so turn away. 24 And We sent no messenger before thee but We inspired him, (saying): There is no Allah save Me (Allah), so worship Me. 25 And they say: The Beneficent Allah has taken to Himself a son. Glory be to Him. Nay! they are honored servants 26 They did not precede Him in their speech, and acted on His command. 27 He knows what is before them and what is behind them. They intercede for none except for him whom He is well pleased, and they tremble in awe of Him. 28 ۞ The recompense of those of them who say that they are the Lord instead of God will be hell; thus, do We recompense the unjust ones. 29