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 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 Could it be, that if you turn away, you might make corruption in the land and break the ties of kinship? 22 Such are those whom Allah has cursed, making them deaf and blinding their eyes. 23 Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Nay, on the hearts there are locks. 24 Certainly those who have turned their backs on the True Guidance after it became manifest to them, Satan has embellished their ways for them and has buoyed them up with false hopes. 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 Then how (will it be) when the angels will take their souls at death, smiting 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