How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 11 Whensoever they sensed Our punishment they fled from them. 12 (They were told): "Flee not, but return to your comforts and to your dwellings. You are likely to be questioned." 13 They cried, “Woe to us, we were indeed unjust!” 14 They did not cease to cry this until We reduced them to stubble, still and silent. 15 We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play. 16 Had We intended to take a diversion, We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were 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 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 glorify Him day and night without fail. 20 Or have they taken gods from the earth who can raise the dead? 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 None shall question Him about what He does, but they shall 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 We have not sent an apostle before you without instructing him that there is no god but I, so worship Me. 25 And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants. 26 They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by 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