Believers! If you follow those who deny the Truth, they will drive you back on your heels, and you will turn about, losers. 149 No, indeed! it is God who is your protector: He is the best supporter. 150 We will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they set up with Allah that for which He has sent down no authority, and their abode is the fire, and evil is the abode of the unjust. 151 And Allah had assuredly made good His promise unto you when ye were extirpating them by His leave, until when ye flagged and ye disagreed about the command and ye disobeyed after He had shewn you that for which ye longed. Of you some desired the world and of you some desired the Hereafter, wherefore He turned you away from them that he might prove you; and of a surety He hath pardoned you. And Allah is Gracious unto the believers. 152 ۞ And recall what time ye were running off and would not look back on any one, albeit the apostle in your rear was calling unto you. Wherefore He caused sorrow to overtake you for sorrow, that ye might not grieve for that which ye might lose nor for that which might befall you. And Allah is Aware of that which ye work. 153 Then, after this woe, He sent down upon you a sense of security, an inner calm which enfolded some of you, whereas the others, who cared mainly for themselves, entertained wrong thoughts about God - thoughts of pagan ignorance - saying, "Did we, then, have any power of decision [in this matter]?" Say: "Verily, all power of decision does rest with God" - [but as for them,] they are trying to conceal within themselves that [weakness of faith] which they would not reveal unto thee, [O Prophet, by] saying, "If we had any power of decision, we would not have left so many dead behind." Say [unto them]: "Even if you had remained in your homes, those [of you] whose death had been ordained would indeed have gone forth to the places where they were destined to lie down." And [all this befell you] so that God might put to a test all that you harbour in your bosoms, and render your innermost hearts pure of all dross: for God is aware of what is in the hearts [of men]. 154 Those of you who turned away the day the two hosts encountered -- Satan made them slip for somewhat they had earned; but God has pardoned them; God is All-forgiving, All-clement. 155