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 Obedience and saying what is just would become them more; when the decision is taken, it would be better for them if they acted sincerely towards God. 21 Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? 22 Such are they whom Allah curseth so that He deafeneth them and maketh blind their eyes. 23 Will they not, then, ponder over this Qur'an? - or are there locks upon their hearts? 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 This is because they said to those who hate what Allah has sent down: "We will obey you in part of the matter," but Allah knows their secrets. 26 hence, how [will they fare] when the angels gather them in death, striking their faces and their backs? 27 This because they followed that which called forth the Wrath of Allah, and they hated Allah's good pleasure; so He made their deeds of no effect. 28