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 (They keep affirming their) obedience and saying good words. But when a course of action was clearly determined, it would have been better for them if they had proved true to Allah. 21 Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? 22 Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight. 23 Do they not ponder on what the Qur'an says? Or have their hearts been sealed with locks? 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 This is because they said to those who dislike what Allah has sent down, “We will obey you regarding one matter*”; and Allah knows their secrets. (* To fight against the Holy Prophet). 26 But how (will it be) when the angels take their souls at death, and smite their faces and their backs? 27 That will be because they followed that which angereth Allah, and hated that which pleaseth Him. Therefor He hath made their actions vain. 28