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 Were it to obey and say what is just, and when a matter is resolved on, it were best for them if they were true to Allah. 21 So would you perhaps, if you turned away, cause corruption on earth and sever your [ties of] relationship? 22 Those [who do so] are the ones that Allah has cursed, so He deafened them and blinded their vision. 23 Will they not, then, ponder over this Quran? Or are there locks upon their hearts? 24 Those who have reverted to disbelief after guidance has become manifest to them, have been seduced and given false hopes by satan. 25 This, because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed, "We will obey you in part of (this) matter"; but Allah knows their (inner) secrets. 26 How will it be when the angels draw out their souls striking their faces and their backs? 27 That is because they have followed what angers God, and have been averse to His good pleasure, so He has made their works to fail. 28