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 Yet obedience and honorable words (would be better for them). Then, when the matter is decided, if they were true to Allah it would be better for them. 21 If you turned away, would you then haply work corruption in the land, and break your bonds of kin? 22 It is these upon whom Allah has laid His curse: so He made them deaf and deprived them of their sight. 23 Will they not, then, ponder over this Quran? Or are there 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 That is because they said to those who disliked what Allah sent down, "We will obey you in part of the matter." And Allah knows what they conceal. 26 How then shall it be when the angels shall take them away at death smiting their faces and their backs! 27 Because they followed what displeases God, and they were averse to pleasing Him. So We nullified their deeds. 28