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 Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? 22 Such are those whom Allah has cursed, making them deaf and blinding their eyes. 23 Ponder then they not on the Qur'an, or are on the hearts locks thereof? 24 Those who have reverted to disbelief after guidance has become manifest to them, have been seduced and given false hopes by satan. 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 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 detested His good-will; so He made their works of non-effect. 28