How many a community that dealt unjustly have We shattered, and raised up after them another folk! 11 And [every time,] as soon as they began to feel Our punishing might, lo! they tried to flee from it 12 'Do not run away. Return to your luxury that you rejoiced in, and your homes in order that you be questioned' 13 They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers." 14 and this they kept repeating until We caused them to become like a field mowed down, and reduced to ashes. 15 We have not created the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them, out of fun. 16 Had We intended that We should choose a sport, surely We would choose it from before Us - if We were ever going to do that. 17 Aye! We hurl truth against falsehood, so that it braineth it, and lo! it vanisheth; and to you be the woe for that which ye utter! 18 To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire. 19 They glorify (Him) night and day; they flag not. 20 Or have they chosen gods from the earth who raise the dead? 21 If other than Allah, there were gods* in the heavens and the earth, they would be destroyed; therefore Purity is to Allah, Owner of the Throne, from the matters that they fabricate. (* Which is not possible.) 22 He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 23 Or have they taken for worship (other) aliha (gods) besides Him? Say: "Bring your proof:" This (the Quran) is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me. But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse. 24 Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. 25 And they say: The Beneficent hath taken unto Himself a son. Be He Glorified! Nay, but (those whom they call sons) are honoured slaves; 26 They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. 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 ۞ And if any of them were to say: "Behold, I am deity beside Him" - that one We should requite with hell: thus do We requite all [such] evildoers. 29