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 Then if you turn away, you are likely to spread corruption on the earth and sever your ties of kinship. 22 Those it is whom Allah has cursed so He has made them deaf and blinded their eyes. 23 So do they not ponder the Qur’an deeply, or are there locks on some of their hearts? 24 VERILY, those who turn their backs [on this message] after guidance has been vouchsafed to them, [do it because] Satan has embellished their fancies and filled them with false hopes: 25 This, because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed, "We will obey you in part of (this) matter"; but Allah knows their (inner) secrets. 26 Then how (will it be with them) when the angels gather them, smiting their faces and their backs! 27 That is because they follow what is displeasing to Allah and are averse to His pleasure, therefore He has made null their deeds. 28