And those who believe say: wherefore hath not a Surah been revealed? Then when there is sent down a Surah firmly constructed, and fighting is mentioned therein, thou seest those in whose hearts is a disease looking at thee with the look of one swooning unto death. So alas for them! 20 (They keep affirming their) obedience and saying good words. But when a course of action was clearly determined, it would have been better for them if they had proved true to Allah. 21 But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship! 22 It is these upon whom Allah has laid His curse: so He made them deaf and deprived them of their sight. 23 Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts? 24 Those who have turned back in their traces after the guidance has become clear to them, Satan it was that tempted them, and God respited them. 25 This, because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed, "We will obey you in part of (this) matter"; but Allah knows their (inner) secrets. 26 Then how (will it be with them) when the angels gather them, smiting their faces and their backs! 27 That is because they followed that which angered Allah, and hated that which pleased Him. So He made their deeds fruitless. 28