The believers ask: 'Has a chapter been sent down' But when a clear chapter is sent down and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those in whose hearts is sickness looking towards you as one who swoons at death. 20 Yet obedience and honorable words (would be better for them). Then, when the matter is decided, if they were true to Allah it would be better for them. 21 But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship! 22 Those [who do so] are the ones that Allah has cursed, so He deafened them and blinded their vision. 23 Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts? 24 Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them,- the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes. 25 This is because they said to those who hate what Allah has sent down: "We will obey you in part of the matter," but Allah knows their secrets. 26 How shall it be, when the angels take them, beating their faces and their backs? 27 That is because they have followed a way that angered Allah, and have been averse to His good pleasure. So He reduced all their works to nought. 28