For, how many a community that persisted in evildoing have We dashed into fragments, and raised another people in its stead! 11 And, when they felt Our might, behold them fleeing from it! 12 The angels said to them, “Do not flee and return to the comforts that were given to you and to your homes, perhaps you will be questioned.” 13 They said: woe unto us! verily we have been wrong-doers. 14 So they ceased not to cry, until We made them stubble, silent and still. 15 It was not in play that We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. 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 And His is whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; and those nigh unto Him are not too stiff-necked for His worship nor are they weary. 19 They glorify (Him) by night and day; they are never languid. 20 Have they appointed from the earth, Gods that create something? 21 Why, were there gods in earth and heaven other than God, they would surely go to ruin; so glory be to God, the Lord of the Throne, above that they describe! 22 None shall question Him about what He does, but they shall be questioned. 23 Have they taken gods besides God? Say: "Then bring your proof. Here is the Book of those who are with me, and the Book of those who have gone before me." But most men do not know the truth and turn 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 [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 These servants do not speak before He speaks. They simply act according to His orders. 27 He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him. 28 ۞ And the one among them who says, “I am a God beside Allah” – We shall reward him with hell; this is how We punish the unjust. 29