The believers say, "Why is a chapter about jihad - fighting for the cause of God - not revealed?" But when such a chapter, with clear commands and a mention of jihad is revealed, you will see those whose hearts are sick look at you as if suffering the agony of death. One can expect nothing better from them! 20 Obedience (to Allah) and good words (were better for them). And when the matter (preparation for Jihad) is resolved on, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them. 21 But if you held command, you were sure to make mischief in the land and cut off the ties of kinship! 22 It is these upon whom Allah has laid His curse: so He made them deaf and deprived them of their sight. 23 Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up by them? 24 Those who have turned back in their traces after the guidance has become clear to them, Satan it was that tempted them, and God respited them. 25 That is because they said unto those who detest that which Allah hath revealed: we shall obey you in part of the affair; and Allah knoweth their talking in secret. 26 hence, how [will they fare] when the angels gather them in death, striking their faces and their backs? 27 That is because they followed that which angered Allah, and hated that which pleased Him. So He made their deeds fruitless. 28