And there are people who say: "We do believe in God and the Last Day," the while they do not [really] believe. 8 Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves, and realise (it) not! 9 There is a disease in their hearts, so Allah added to their disease and they shall have a painful chastisement because they lied. 10 When asked to desist from spreading corruption in the land they say: "Why, we are reformers." 11 Lo! verily it is they who are the corrupters, and yet they perceive not. 12 And when it is said to them: Believe as the people believe, they say: Shall we believe as the fools believe? Now surely they themselves are the fools, but they do not know. 13 When they meet the faithful they say: "We believe;" but when alone with the devils (their fellows), they say: "We are really with you; we were joking." 14 Allah will throw back their mockery on them, and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (To and fro). 15 [for] it is they who have taken error in exchange for guidance; and neither has their bargain brought them gain, nor have they found guidance [elsewhere]. 16 Their condition may be described in a parable: a man kindled a fire and when it illuminated all around him, Allah took away the light from their eyes and left them in utter darkness, where they could not see anything. 17 Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path). 18 Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky: In it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning: They press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of death. But Allah is ever round the rejecters of Faith! 19 The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent. 20