How many a town (community), that were wrong-doers, have We destroyed, and raised up after them another people! 11 And [every time,] as soon as they began to feel Our punishing might, lo! they tried to flee 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 said, "Woe to us! We have been unjust". 14 And that declaration of theirs did not cease until We made them [as] a harvest [mowed down], extinguished [like a fire]. 15 We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play. 16 Had We wished to make a diversion, We would have made it from before Ourselves: by no means would We do (it). 17 We bring forward the Truth to crush and destroy falsehood; it is doomed to be banished. Woe to you for your way of thinking about God! 18 And to Him only belong all those who are in the heavens and in the earth; and those with Him are not conceited towards worshipping Him, nor do they tire. 19 They glorify Him day and night without fail. 20 Have they chosen deities from earth? Can such deities give life to anyone? 21 If there were therein gods beside Allah, then verily both (the heavens and the earth) had been disordered. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, from all that they ascribe (unto Him). 22 He will not be questioned about anything He does, but all people will be questioned about their deeds. 23 Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, [O Muhammad], "Produce your proof. This [Qur'an] is the message for those with me and the message of those before me." But most of them do not know the truth, so they are turning away. 24 Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. 25 They say, "The All Merciful has taken a son!" Glory be to Him! They are only His honoured servants: 26 who do not surpass Him in speech, and do as He commands. 27 He knoweth whatsoever is before them and whatsoever is behind them; and they intercede not except for him whom He approveth, and in awe of Him they are fearful. 28 ۞ Whoever of them should say, "I am a deity besides Him," shall be requited with Hell. Thus do We reward the wrongdoers. 29