Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day;" but they do not (really) believe. 8 They seek to deceive God and the believers, but they only deceive themselves, though they do not realize it. 9 In their hearts is a disease which Allah has increased all the more and a painful doom is in store for them for the lie they utter. 10 And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers." 11 Truly, they are the workers of corruption but they are not aware. 12 When asked to believe as others do, they say: "Should we believe like fools?" And yet they are the fools, even though they do not know. 13 And when they fall in with those who believe, they say: We believe; but when they go apart to their devils they declare: Lo! we are with you; verily we did but mock. 14 [But] Allah mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression [while] they wander blindly. 15 Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided. 16 They are like those who kindled a fire, and when it lighted up all around them, God took away their sight and left them in utter darkness, unable to see -- 17 They are deaf, blind, and dumb and cannot regain their senses. 18 or as a cloudburst out of heaven in which is darkness, and thunder, and lightning -- they put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps, fearful of death; and God encompasses the unbelievers; 19 The lightning almost takes away their vision. When the lightning brightens their surroundings, they walk and when it is dark, they stand still. Had God wanted, He could have taken away their hearing and their vision. God has power over all things. 20