How many a town has disobeyed its Lord and His Messenger! For them Our questioning was strict and Our punishment severe. 8 and thus they had to taste the evil outcome of their own doing: for, [in this world,] the end of their doings was ruin, 9 God has prepared a severe punishment for them. So, fear God, O men of understanding, who have believed. God has sent down to you a Reminder 10 The Noble Messenger who recites the clear verses of Allah to you, so that he may take those who accept faith and do good deeds, away from the realms of darkness towards light; and whoever accepts faith in Allah and does good deeds, Allah will admit him into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them for ever and ever; indeed Allah has kept an excellent sustenance for him. 11 It is God who has created the seven heavens and a like number of earths. His commandments are sent between them, so that you would know that God has power over all things and that His knowledge encompasses all. 12