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 Obedience (to Allah) and good words (were better for them). And when the matter (preparation for Jihad) is resolved on, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them. 21 But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship! 22 It is these upon whom Allah has laid His curse: so He made them deaf and deprived them of their sight. 23 Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up by them? 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 But how will they fare when angels will take their souls at death and will carry them, striking their faces and backs? 27 That is because they followed that which angered Allah, and hated that which pleased Him. So He made their deeds fruitless. 28