The believers used to say: “Why is a surah (that would ordain fighting) not revealed?” But when a definitive surah was revealed wherein fighting was mentioned, you saw that those in whose hearts there was a sickness looked at you as though they were about to faint at the approach of death. Pity on them! 20 To obey and speak good; so when the manifest command came – it would have been better for them if they had remained faithful to Allah. 21 So would you perhaps, if you turned away, cause corruption on earth and sever your [ties of] relationship? 22 Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight. 23 Do they not then think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)? 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 That is because they say unto those who hate what Allah hath revealed: We will obey you in some matters; and Allah knoweth their secret talk. 26 How shall it be, when the angels take them, beating 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