O Prophet! strive hard against the infidels and the hypocrites; and be severe unto them. And their resort is Hell - a hapless destination. 73 They swear by God that they did not, yet they uttered the words of denial of truth after they had accepted Islam. They meditated a plot which they were unable to carry out, and being spiteful was their only response to God, who had enriched them out of His bounty, and to His Messenger. If they repent, it will indeed be better for them. If they turn away, God will punish them with grievous suffering in this world and the Hereafter, and there will be no one on earth to protect or help them. 74 ۞ Some of them have made a covenant with Allah, 'If Allah gives to us of His bounty, we will give charity and be of the righteous' 75 Then when He gave them out of His grace, they became niggardly therewith and turned away as backsliders. 76 So He penalized them with hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him - because they failed Allah in what they promised Him and because they [habitually] used to lie. 77 Do they not know that Allah knows their secrets and the schemes they whisper, and that Allah is the All Knowing of all the hidden? 78 God mocks those (hypocrites) who blame and mock the rich or poor believers who donate to the welfare funds, and He has prepared a painful torment for them. 79 Ask forgiveness for them, [O Muhammad], or do not ask forgiveness for them. If you should ask forgiveness for them seventy times - never will Allah forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger, and Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people. 80