And how many a city have We overthrown which were doing wrong, and We caused to grow up thereafter another nation! 11 And when its inhabitants perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it. 12 Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account. 13 They said: woe unto us! verily we have been wrong-doers. 14 And this their crying ceased not till We made them as reaped corn, extinct. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth, and whatsoever between them is, as playing; 16 If We had pleased to make a plaything We could have made it Ourself, if We had cared to do so. 17 Nay, but [by the very act of creation] We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it crushes the latter: and lo! it withers away. But woe unto you for all your [attempts at] defining [God] 18 To Him belongs whosoever dwells in the heavens and on earth. Those (angels) that are with Him neither disdain to serve Him out of pride, nor do they weary of it. 19 They say His Purity night and day, and do not slacken. 20 Have they appointed from the earth, Gods that create something? 21 Had there been gods in heaven or earth, other than Allah, both would indeed have been ruined. Exalted be Allah, Lord of the Throne, above that they describe. 22 He cannot be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned. 23 Or have they taken gods apart from Him? Say: 'Bring your proof! This is the Remembrance of him who is with me, and the Remembrance of those before me. Nay, but the most part of them know not the truth, so therefore they are turning away. 24 And We sent never a Messenger before thee except that We revealed to him, saying, 'There is no god but I; so serve Me.' 25 And they said, “The Most Gracious has chosen a son – Purity is to Him! In fact they are honourable bondmen.” 26 They do not precede Him in speech and (only) according to His commandment do they act. 27 He knows what is before them and behind them, and they intercede not save for him with 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