And many a township did We destroy, for they were unjust, and We created other nations after them. 11 And [every time,] as soon as they began to feel Our punishing might, lo! they tried to flee from it 12 They were told, "Do not try to flee, but return to the comfort and luxuries in which you exulted and to the places where you lived, so that you may be questioned." 13 They said: 'Alas for us we were harmdoers' 14 Such was what they continued to say until We mowed them down and made them completely 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 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 Nay, We hurl the Truth at falsehood so that the Truth crushes falsehood, and lo! it vanishes. Woe to you for what you 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 say His Purity night and day, and do not slacken. 20 Or have they taken gods from the earth who can raise the dead? 21 If there had been in them any gods except Allah, they would both have certainly been in a state of disorder; therefore glory be to Allah, the Lord of the dominion, above what they attribute (to Him). 22 He shall not be questioned as to what He does, but they shall he questioned. 23 and yet, they choose to worship [imaginary] deities instead of Him! Say [O Prophet]: "Produce an evidence for what you are claiming: this is a reminder [unceasingly voiced] by those who are with me, just as it was a reminder [voiced] by those who came before me." But nay, most of them do not know the truth, and so they stubbornly turn away [from it] 24 And We did not send any Noble Messenger before you, but We divinely revealed to him that, “There is no God except I (Allah), therefore worship Me alone.” 25 And they said, “The Most Gracious has chosen a son – Purity is to Him! In fact they are honourable bondmen.” 26 They do not speak before He has, and they act only at His command. 27 He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory). 28 ۞ And whoever of them should say, "Indeed, I am a god besides Him"- that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers. 29