How many unjust towns did We destroy and replace them with other nations? 11 And [every time,] as soon as they began to feel Our punishing might, lo! they tried to flee from it 12 (But it was said unto them): Flee not, but return to that (existence) which emasculated you and to your dwellings, that ye may be questioned. 13 They said: woe unto us! verily we have been wrong-doers. 14 And this remained their lament till We mowed them down and made them extinct. 15 Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between! 16 Had We intended to take a pastime (i.e. a wife or a son, etc.), We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that). 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 To Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: Even those who are in His (very) Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of His service): 19 They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. 20 Have they taken earthly gods who are such that they raise up the dead to life? 21 Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute to Him! 22 He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs). 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 We sent all messengers before you with this revelation: "There is no deity save Me, so worship Me alone." 25 And they say: The Beneficent Allah has taken to Himself a son. Glory be to Him. Nay! they are honored servants 26 They do not speak before He has, and they act only at His command. 27 He knows all that lies open before them and all that is hidden from them: hence, they cannot intercede for any but those whom He has [already] graced with His goodly acceptance, since they themselves stand in reverent awe of Him. 28 ۞ If any one of them said: "I am God besides Him," We should award him Hell; for this is how We requite the evil-doers. 29