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 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 Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? 22 It is these whom Allah has cursed, so He made them deaf to the Truth and blinded their eyes. 23 Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up by them? 24 As for those who turn back in their footsteps after the guidance of Allah has become clear to them, it was satan who tempted them, and Allah has respited them. 25 This, because they said to those who are averse to the faith that Allah has revealed: “In some matters we shall obey you.” Allah has full knowledge of their secret parleys. 26 But how (will it be) when the angels take their souls at death, and smite their faces and their backs? 27 for their following that which had incurred God's anger, and their hatred to please God. Thus, God has made their deeds devoid of all virtue. 28