If thou shouldst see[145] those who have offended[146] when they see the punishment![147]—for power belongeth altogether unto God, and God is severe in punishing: When those who have been followed will declare themselves clear of those who have followed [them],[148] when they have seen the punishment, and the ties [that bound them together] shall be severed from them: And those who have followed shall say, ‘O that there were for us a return _to the world_! then would we declare ourselves clear of them, like as they have _now_ declared themselves clear of us!’ After this manner will God show them their _evil_ works, for which [they shall pour forth] lamentations; and they shall not come forth from the fire. (ii. 160-162.) LIII. And the Devil[149] shall say, when the matter shall have been determined,[150] ‘Verily God promised you the promise of truth;[151] and I promised you,[152] but I deceived you: yet had I no power over you; But I only called you and ye answered me. Therefore blame not me, but blame your own selves. I am not a helper of you, neither are ye helpers of me. Verily I renounce your having associated me _with God_ heretofore.’ (xiv. 26, 27). LIV. Verily the hypocrites shall be in the lowest abyss of the fire, and thou shalt not find for them any defender. (iv. 144.) LV. They[153] will ask thee respecting the Hour,[154] at what time is its coming fixed. SAY, The knowledge of it is only with my Lord: none shall manifest it in its time but He. It is grievous in the heavens and in the earth. It shall not come upon you otherwise than suddenly. They will ask thee as though thou wert well acquainted therewith. SAY, The knowledge of it is only with God: but the greater number of men know not! SAY, I possess not for myself _power to procure_ advantage nor _to avert_ mischief, save as God pleaseth: and if I knew things unseen, I should obtain abundance of good, and evil should not happen unto me. I am only a denouncer of threats _unto the unbelievers_, and an announcer of good tidings unto the people who believe. (vii. 186-188.) _PREDESTINATION._ LVI. A soul cannot die unless by permission of God, according to a writing _of God_, definite _as to time_. (iii. 139.) LVII. They say [whose companions were slain at the battle of Oḥod], ‘If aught of the affair had been _submitted_ to us we had not been slain here.’[155] SAY, Had ye been in your houses, those _of you_ who were decreed to be slain had gone forth to the places where they lie. (iii. 148.) LVIII. Wheresoever ye be, death will overtake you, although you be in lofty towers. If good fortune betide them,[156] they say, ‘This is from God!’ But if evil betide them, they say, ‘This is from thee, _O Moḥammad_!’ SAY, All is from God. And what aileth this people that they are not near to understanding what is said _unto them_? Whatsoever good betideth thee, _O man, it is_ from God; and whatsoever evil betideth thee, from thyself _is it_.