The believers used to say: “Why is a surah (that would ordain fighting) not revealed?” But when a definitive surah was revealed wherein fighting was mentioned, you saw that those in whose hearts there was a sickness looked at you as though they were about to faint at the approach of death. Pity on them! 20 To obey and speak good; so when the manifest command came – it would have been better for them if they had remained faithful to Allah. 21 Then, is it to be expected of you, if ye were put in authority, that ye will do mischief in the land, and break your ties of kith and kin? 22 It is these upon whom Allah has laid His curse: so He made them deaf and deprived them of their sight. 23 So do they not ponder the Qur’an deeply, or are there locks on some of their hearts? 24 VERILY, those who turn their backs [on this message] after guidance has been vouchsafed to them, [do it because] Satan has embellished their fancies and filled them with false hopes: 25 This is because they have said to those who hate God's revelation, "We shall obey you in some matters." But God knows all their secrets. 26 How shall it be when the angels (of death) take them and beat them on their face and back? 27 Because they followed what displeases God, and they were averse to pleasing Him. So We nullified their deeds. 28