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 Yet obedience and honorable words (would be better for them). Then, when the matter is decided, if they were true to Allah it would be better for them. 21 Then, belike ye are, if ye turn, to cause corruption in the earth and to sever your kinship. 22 Those are they whom God has cursed, and so made them deaf, and blinded their eyes. 23 Ponder then they not on the Qur'an, or are on the hearts locks thereof? 24 Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them,- the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes. 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 Then how will it be when the angels take their souls, beating them on their faces and their backs, 27 That is because they followed that which angered Allah, and hated that which pleased Him. So He made their deeds fruitless. 28