And how many a city have We overthrown which were doing wrong, and We caused to grow up thereafter another nation! 11 Then, when they perceived Our chastisement they took to their heels and fled. 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, “Woe to us, we were indeed unjust!” 14 And this remained their lament till We mowed them down and made them extinct. 15 AND [know that] We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in mere idle play: 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 Whosoever is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him; and those who are near Him do not disdain to worship Him or weary (of His service), 19 They glorify (Him) night and day; they flag not. 20 Have they taken earthly gods who are such that they raise up the dead to life? 21 If there had been in the heavens and on the earth, other deities besides God, both the heavens and earth would be ruined. God, Lord of the throne, is far above that which they ascribe to Him. 22 He shall be questioned not as to that which He doth, while they shall be questioned. 23 Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, [O Muhammad], "Produce your proof. This [Qur'an] is the message for those with me and the message of those before me." But most of them do not know the truth, so they are turning away. 24 And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." 25 They said, "The Beneficent God has given birth to a son. He is too Exalted to give birth to a son." (Those whom they think are God's sons) are only His honorable servants. 26 They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command. 27 He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive. 28 ۞ And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am an ilah (a god) besides Him (Allah)," such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.). 29