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 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 If you ignore the commands of God would you then also spread evil in the land and sever the ties of kinship? 22 Those are they whom God has cursed, and so made them deaf, and blinded their eyes. 23 Do they not ponder on what the Qur'an says? Or have their hearts been sealed with locks? 24 Surely (as for) those who return on their backs after that guidance has become manifest to them, the Shaitan has made it a light matter to them; and He gives them respite. 25 That is because they say to those averse to what Allah has sent down 'We shall obey you in some of the matters' Allah knows their secrets. 26 But how (will it be) when the angels take their souls at death, and smite 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