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 good words. And when the matter [of fighting] was determined, if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them. 21 If you turned away, would you then haply work corruption in the land, and break your bonds of kin? 22 Those are they whom God has cursed, and so made them deaf, and blinded their eyes. 23 Is it that they do not think about the Quran or are their hearts sealed? 24 Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them,- the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes. 25 because they say to those who abhor what God has revealed, "We will obey you in some matters." God knows their secrets. 26 So how (dreadful) will it be when the angels remove their souls, striking at their faces and their backs! 27 Because they followed what displeases God, and they were averse to pleasing Him. So We nullified their deeds. 28