NOW THOSE who have attained to faith say: "Would that a revelation [allowing us to fight] was bestowed from on high!" But now that a revelation clear in and by itself, mentioning war, has been bestowed from on high, thou canst see those in whose hearts is disease looking at thee, [O Muhammad,] with the look of one who is about to faint for fear of death! And yet, far better for them would be 20 Were it to obey and say what is just, and when a matter is resolved on, it were best for them if they were 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 Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight. 23 Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? 24 Those who turn their backs after the way of guidance has been opened to them, have been surely tempted by Satan and beguiled by illusory hopes. 25 This is because they have said to those who hate God's revelation, "We shall obey you in some matters." But God knows all their secrets. 26 How terrible it will be for them when the angels take away their souls by striking their faces and their backs. 27 That is because they follow what is displeasing to Allah and are averse to His pleasure, therefore He has made null their deeds. 28