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 Their obedience and speech are known. Then when the affair is determined, if even then they gave credence unto Allah, it would have been better for them. 21 So would you perhaps, if you turned away, cause corruption on earth and sever your [ties of] relationship? 22 Those are they whom Allah hath cursed, and then hath deafened them and blinded their sights. 23 What, do they not ponder the Koran? Or is it that there are locks upon their hearts? 24 Verily those who have apostated on their backs after the guidance had become manifest unto them, the devil hath embellished this apostacy for them and hath given them false hopes. 25 This was so because they said to those who disdain what God has revealed: "We shall obey you in some things." But God knows their secret intentions well. 26 Then how (will it be) when the angels will take their souls at death, smiting 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