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 modest speech (would have been more becoming). And when the matter has been determined it is best for them to be true to God. 21 So would you perhaps, if you turned away, cause corruption on earth and sever your [ties of] relationship? 22 Those [who do so] are the ones that Allah has cursed, so He deafened them and blinded their vision. 23 Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts? 24 Indeed, those who reverted back [to disbelief] after guidance had become clear to them - Satan enticed them and prolonged hope for them. 25 This, because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed, "We will obey you in part of (this) matter"; but Allah knows their (inner) secrets. 26 So how (dreadful) will it be when the angels remove their souls, striking at their faces and their backs! 27 That is because they follow what angers Allah and hate His pleasure, therefore He has annulled their deeds. 28