It is he who hath made you to succeed in the earth. Whoever shall disbelieve, on him _be_ his unbelief; and their unbelief shall only gain the unbelievers greater indignation in the sight of their LORD; and their unbelief shall only increase the perdition of the unbelievers. Say, what think ye of your deities which ye invoke besides GOD? Show me what _part_ of the earth they have created. Or had they any share in _the creation of_ the heavens? Have we given unto _the idolaters_ any book _of revelations_, so that they _may rely_ on any proof therefrom _to authorize their practice?_ Nay; but the ungodly make unto one another only deceitful promises. Verily GOD sustaineth the heavens and the earth, lest they fail: and if they should fail, none could support the same besides him; he is gracious _and_ merciful. _The Koreish_ swore by GOD, with a most solemn oath, that if a preacher had come unto them, they would surely have been more _willingly_ directed than any nation: but now a preacher is come unto them, it hath only increased in them _their_ aversion _from the truth, their_ arrogance in the earth, and _their_ contriving of evil; but the contrivance of evil shall only encompass the authors thereof. Do they expect any other than the punishment awarded against the _unbelievers_ of former times? For thou shalt not find any change in the ordinance of GOD; neither shalt thou find any variation in the ordinance of GOD. Have they not gone through the earth, and seen what hath been the end of those who were before them; although they were more mighty in strength than they? GOD is not to be frustrated by anything either in heaven or on earth; for he is wise _and_ powerful. If GOD should punish men according to what they deserve, he would not leave on the back of _the earth_ so much as a beast; but he respiteth them to a determined time; and when their time shall come, verily GOD will regard his servants. CHAPTER LV.: INTITLED "THE MERCIFUL." REVEALED AT MECCA