Many a habitation of wicked people is there, which We crushed to piece, and after them raised up another people. When they perceived Our Scourge13 they began to flee the place. (Then it was said to them:) "Do not run away: go back to the same life of luxury and the houses where you were making merry: perhaps you may be asked about it."14 They cried out, "Woe be to us: indeed we were wrong-doers." They went on crying out this very thing till We threshed them, leaving no spark of life in them. We have not created for a pastime the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them.15 Had We meant to make it a plaything and nothing more than this, We would have done it by Ourself.16 But We give falsehood a hard blow with the Truth, which breaks its head and falsehood vanishes away in no time; and there is woe for you because of the falsehoods you invent.17 All that exists in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah:18 and (the angels) who are near Him19 disdain not to serve Him, nor do they feel wearied:20 they glorify Him night and day without taking rest. Have the earthly deities they have set up the power to give life and raise the (inanimate) things?21 Had there been other deities besides Allah in the heavens and the earth, both (the heavens and the earth) would have gone out of order.22 So, absolutely free is Allah, Lord of the Throne,23 from the false things they ascribe to Him. He is accountable to none for what He does, but all others are accountable (to Him). Have they discarded Him and set up other deities? Say to them, O Muhammad, "Bring your authority; here is this Book, which contains Admonition for the people of my time, and there are also those Books which contained Admonition for the former people."24 But most of these people have no knowledge of the Reality; therefore they have turned away from it.25 The fact is that to every Messenger whom We sent down before you, We revealed this same thing: "There is no other deity than Me: so worship Me alone." They say, "The Merciful has offspring."26 Glory be to Allah!they are His mere servants who have been honored: they do not exceed the limits in their talk before Him and just do His bidding. He knows whatever is before them and also whatever is hidden from them; they "do not intercede for anyone except for the one for whom Allah pleases to hear a plea, and they live in awe of Him27 And if anyone of them were to say, "I am also a deity besides Allah", We would send him to Hell, for this is the recompense from Us for such workers of iniquity.