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 Obedience and a civil word. Then, when the matter is determined, if they are loyal to Allah it will be well for them. 21 If you turned away, would you then haply work corruption in the land, and break your bonds of kin? 22 Such are those whom Allah has cursed, making them deaf and blinding their eyes. 23 Do they not ponder on what the Qur'an says? Or have their hearts been sealed with locks? 24 VERILY, those who turn their backs [on this message] after guidance has been vouchsafed to them, [do it because] Satan has embellished their fancies and filled them with false hopes: 25 That is because they say unto those who hate what Allah hath revealed: We will obey you in some matters; and Allah knoweth their secret talk. 26 Then how (will it be with them) when the angels gather them, smiting their faces and their backs! 27 That is because they have followed what angers God, and have been averse to His good pleasure, so He has made their works to fail. 28