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 Obedience and saying what is just would become them more; when the decision is taken, it would be better for them if they acted sincerely towards God. 21 So do you, the hypocrites, portray that if you get governance, you would spread chaos in the land and sever your relations? 22 Such are those whom God has rejected, making their ears deaf and their eyes blind. 23 Will they not, then, ponder over this Qur'an? - or are there locks upon their hearts? 24 O you who believe, obey God and the Prophet, and do not waste your deeds. 25 That is because they said to those who were averse to what God sent down, 'We will obey you in some of the affair'; and God knows their secrets. 26 How shall it be when the angels (of death) take them and beat them on their face and back? 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