And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah and the last day; and they are not at all believers. 8 They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not. 9 In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increaseth their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie. 10 When asked to desist from spreading corruption in the land they say: "Why, we are reformers." 11 Yet they are surely mischief-mongers, even though they do not know. 12 And when it is said to them, “Believe as the others believe”, they say, “Shall we believe as the foolish believe?” It is they who are the fools, but they do not know. 13 And when they meet those who have attained to faith, they assert, "We believe [as you believe]"; but when they find themselves alone with their evil impulses, they say: "Verily, we are with you; we were only mocking!" 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 These are the people who purchased error in exchange of guidance – so their bargain did not profit them, and they did not know how to trade. 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 They are deaf, dumb, and blind, so they return not (to the Right Path). 18 Or [the parable] of a violent cloudburst in the sky, with utter darkness, thunder and lightning: they put their fingers into their ears to keep out the peals of thunder, in terror of death; but God encompasses [with His might] all who deny the truth. 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