How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 Then when they perceived Our violence, lo! they were from it fleeing. 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 "Woe, alas," they said, "we were really sinful." 14 And this remained their lament till We mowed them down and made them extinct. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play. 16 If We willed to choose a pastime, We could have chosen it from Ourselves – if We wanted to. 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 for, unto Him belong all [beings] that are in the heavens and on earth; and those that are with Him are never too proud to worship Him and never grow weary [thereof]: 19 they extol His limitless glory by night and by day, never flagging [therein]. 20 Or have they taken gods out of the earth who raise the dead? 21 If there had been in them any gods except Allah, they would both have certainly been in a state of disorder; therefore glory be to Allah, the Lord of the dominion, above what they attribute (to Him). 22 He cannot be questioned about what He does, but they will 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 To all the Messengers that were sent before you We revealed that I am the only God to be worshipped. 25 They say: "The Most Compassionate Lord has taken to Himself a son." Glory be to Him! Those whom they so designate are only His honoured servants. 26 They do not speak before He has, and they act only at 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 ۞ Whoever of them should say, "I am a deity besides Him," shall be requited with Hell. Thus do We reward the wrongdoers. 29