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 and a gentle word (was proper); but when the affair becomes settled, then if they remain true to Allah it would certainly be better for them. 21 Then, belike ye are, if ye turn, to cause corruption in the earth and to sever your kinship. 22 Such are those whom God has rejected, making their ears deaf and their eyes blind. 23 So do they not ponder the Qur’an deeply, or are there locks on some of their hearts? 24 Certainly those who have turned their backs on the True Guidance after it became manifest to them, Satan has embellished their ways for them and has buoyed them up with false hopes. 25 This is because they have said to those who hate God's revelation, "We shall obey you in some matters." But God knows all their secrets. 26 How shall it be when the angels (of death) take them and beat them on their face and back? 27 That is because they followed that which angered Allah, and hated that which pleased Him. So He made their deeds fruitless. 28