11. And how many a township that acted wrongfully have WE utterly destroyed, and raised up after it another people. 12. And when they perceived OUR punishment, lo ! they began to flee from it. 13. Thereupon WE said, `Flee not, but return to the luxuries in which you exulted, and to your dwellings that you might be questioned about your conduct.' 14. They said, `Alas for us, we were indeed wrongdoers !' 15. And this ceased not to be their cry till WE made them like a mown down field, extinct. 16. And WE created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between the two in sport. 17. Had WE wished to find a pastime, WE would, surely, have found it in what is with US, if at all WE were to do such a thing. 18. Nay, WE hurl the truth at falsehood, and it breaks its head, and lo ! it perishes. And woe to you for that which you ascribe to ALLAH. 19. To HIM belongs whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who are in HIS presence do not disdain to worship HIM, nor do they weary of it; 20. They glorify HIM night and day; and they flag not. 21. Have they taken gods from the earth who raise the dead ? 22. If there had been in the heavens and the earth other gods beside ALLAH, then surely both would have gone to ruin. Glorified then be ALLAH, the Lord of the Throne, far above what they attribute to HIM. 23. HE cannot be questioned as to what HE does, but they will be questioned. 24. Have they taken gods besides HIM ? Say, `Bring forth your proof. This Qur'an is a source of honour for those with me, and a source of honour for those before me.' Nay, most of them know not the truth, and so they turn away. |