NOW THOSE who have attained to faith say: "Would that a revelation [allowing us to fight] was bestowed from on high!" But now that a revelation clear in and by itself, mentioning war, has been bestowed from on high, thou canst see those in whose hearts is disease looking at thee, [O Muhammad,] with the look of one who is about to faint for fear of death! And yet, far better for them would be 20 Since they have (pledged) Us obedience and to speak reasonably, it would be more proper for them, when it is decided (that everyone must take part in the battle), to remain true (in their pledge to God). 21 Would ye then, if ye were given the command, work corruption in the land and sever your ties of kinship? 22 Those [who do so] are the ones that Allah has cursed, so He deafened them and blinded their vision. 23 Do they not then think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)? 24 Lo! those who turn back after the guidance hath been manifested unto them, Satan hath seduced them, and He giveth them the rein. 25 That is because they said unto those who detest that which Allah hath revealed: we shall obey you in part of the affair; and Allah knoweth their talking in secret. 26 So how (dreadful) will it be when the angels remove their souls, striking at their faces and their backs! 27 That is because they followed that which angered Allah and detested His good-will; so He made their works of non-effect. 28