Then there are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day", whereas they do not believe at all. 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 Allah has increased all the more and a painful doom is in store for them for the lie they utter. 10 When they are told, "Do not cause corruption in the land," they say, "We are only promoters of peace," 11 Are not they indeed the mischief-makers? But they perceive not. 12 And when they are told, "Believe as other people believe," they answer, "Shall we believe as the weak-minded believe?" Oh, verily, it is they, they who are weak-minded - but they know it not! 13 And when they meet those who believe, they say: We believe; and when they are alone with their Shaitans, they say: Surely we are with you, we were only mocking. 14 [But] Allah mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression [while] they wander blindly. 15 Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided. 16 Their condition may be described in a parable: a man kindled a fire and when it illuminated all around him, Allah took away the light from their eyes and left them in utter darkness, where they could not see anything. 17 Deaf, dumb, and blind, they shall never return. 18 Or like a rainstorm from the sky, in which are darkness, thunder and lightning; they thrust their fingers in their ears due to the thunderclaps, fearing death; and Allah has the disbelievers encompassed. 19 The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent. 20