For, how many a community that persisted in evildoing have We dashed into fragments, and raised another people in its stead! 11 When they felt Our punishment coming upon them, they began to flee from it. 12 Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes, in order that you may be questioned. 13 They cried: Alas for us! we were wrong-doers. 14 and this they kept repeating until We caused them to become like a field mowed down, and reduced to ashes. 15 We did not create the heavens and the earth just for fun. 16 If We had pleased to make a plaything We could have made it Ourself, if We had cared to do so. 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 Unto Him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who dwell in His presence are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they weary; 19 They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. 20 Or have they taken (for worship) aliha (gods) from the earth who raise the dead? 21 Had there been other deities in the heavens and the earth besides God, both the heavens and the earth would have been destroyed. God, the Lord of the Throne, is too Glorious to be as they think He is. 22 None shall question Him about what He does, but they shall be questioned. 23 Have they taken gods, other than Him? Say: 'Bring us your proof! Here is the Remembrance of he who is with me and the Remembrance of those before me' But no, most of them do not know the truth, therefore they turn away. 24 And We sent no messenger before thee but We inspired him, (saying): There is no Allah save Me (Allah), so worship Me. 25 And [yet,] some say: "The Most Gracious has taken unto Himself a son"! Limitless is He in His glory! Nay, [those whom they regard as God's "offspring" are but His] honoured servants: 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 what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He likes, and they fear with awe of Him. (The Holy Prophets and virtuous people will be given the permission to intercede. Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him – will be the first to intercede.) 28 ۞ If any of them should say, "I am a god besides Him", such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong. 29