And there are people who say: "We do believe in God and the Last Day," the while they do not [really] believe. 8 They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not. 9 There is a disease in their hearts, so Allah added to their disease and they shall have a painful chastisement because they lied. 10 When they are told not to commit corruption in the land, they reply, "We are only reformers". 11 Lo! verily it is they who are the corrupters, and yet they perceive not. 12 And when it is said unto them: believe as the people believe, they say: shall we believe as the foolish believe? are not they indeed the foolish? But they know not. 13 And when they meet those who have attained to faith, they assert, "We believe [as you believe]"; but when they find themselves alone with their evil impulses, they say: "Verily, we are with you; we were only mocking!" 14 Allah mocks at them and gives them increase in their wrong-doings to wander blindly. 15 These are they who have bartered Guidance for error: But their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction, 16 Their example is like that of one who kindled a fire; and when it lit up all that was around it, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness, unable to see anything. 17 They are deaf; they are dumb; they are blind so they will not return (to the right way). 18 Or (still another parable may be cited to depict their condition): heavy rain is falling from the sky, accompanied by pitch darkness, thunder and lightning. When they hear the thunderclap, they thrust their fingers into their ears for fear of death, but Allah is encircling the disbelievers on all sides. 19 The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (Helps) them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still. And if Allah willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing; for Allah hath power over all things. 20