Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day;" but they do not (really) believe. 8 They would deceive God and those who have attained to faith - the while they deceive none but themselves, and perceive it not. 9 In their hearts is a disease, which God has increased. They will have a painful punishment, because they have been lying. 10 Whenever it is said to them, "Spread not disorder on the earth", their reply is, "We only seek to put things aright". 11 Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers, but they do not perceive. 12 And when they are told, "Believe as other people have believed," they say, "Are we to believe just as fools believe?" Surely they are the fools, even though they do not realize it. 13 When they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe." But when they are alone with their evil leaders, they say, "We are really with you; we were only mocking." 14 But God will turn the joke against them and allow them to sink deeper into evil and wander perplexed in their wickedness. 15 Those are they that have bought error at the price of guidance, and their commerce has not profited them, and they are not right-guided. 16 Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness. (So) they could not see. 17 deaf, dumb, blind -- so they shall not return; 18 Or (still another parable may be cited to depict their condition): heavy rain is falling from the sky, accompanied by pitch darkness, thunder and lightning. When they hear the thunderclap, they thrust their fingers into their ears for fear of death, but Allah is encircling the disbelievers on all sides. 19 The lightning almost snatcheth away their sight from them. As often as it flasheth forth for them they walk therein, and when it darkeneth against them they stand still. If Allah willed, He could destroy their hearing and their sight. Lo! Allah is able to do all things. 20