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 Obedience and a civil word. Then, when the matter is determined, if they are loyal to Allah it will be well for them. 21 Then, belike ye are, if ye turn, to cause corruption in the earth and to sever your kinship. 22 Those [who do so] are the ones that Allah has cursed, so He deafened them and blinded their vision. 23 Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts? 24 Lo! those who turn back after the guidance hath been manifested unto them, Satan hath seduced them, and He giveth them the rein. 25 [they do turn their backs on it] inasmuch as they are wont to say unto those who abhor all that God has revealed, "We will comply with your views on some points." But God knows their secret thoughts: 26 How shall it be, when the angels take them, beating their faces and their backs? 27 This is because they followed the matter which displeases Allah, and they disliked what pleases Him – He therefore squandered away all their deeds. 28