There are some people who say: 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day, 'yet they are not believers. 8 They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! 9 There is a sickness in their hearts which Allah has increased. For them there is a painful punishment because they lie. 10 When it is said to them, 'Do not corrupt in the land,' they reply, 'We are only reformers.' 11 Lo! verily it is they who are the corrupters, and yet they perceive not. 12 When it is said to them: 'Believe as (other) people believe,' they reply, 'Are we to believe as fools believe?' It is they who are the fools, if only they knew! 13 And when they meet those who believe, they say: We believe; and when they are alone with their Shaitans, they say: Surely we are with you, we were only mocking. 14 God mocks them and gives them time to continue blindly in their transgressions. 15 They are indeed those who bartered away good guidance for error and gained nothing from the deal, nor found the right way. 16 Their condition may be described in a parable: a man kindled a fire and when it illuminated all around him, Allah took away the light from their eyes and left them in utter darkness, where they could not see anything. 17 They are deaf; they are dumb; they are blind so they will not return (to the right way). 18 Or like rain pouring from the sky which hides within it darkness, thunder and lightning. They thrust their fingers into their ears for safety against noise and death. But God surrounds those who believe not from all sides. 19 The lightning almost takes away their sight: whenever it flashes upon them, they walk on, but as soon as darkness falls around them, they stand still. Indeed, if God pleased, He could take away their hearing and their sight: God has power over all things. 20