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 words honourable. Then, when the matter is resolved, if they were true to God, it would be better for them. 21 If you ignore the commands of God would you then also spread evil in the land and sever the ties of kinship? 22 It is these whom Allah has cursed, so He made them deaf to the Truth and blinded their eyes. 23 Do they not ponder on what the Qur'an says? Or have their hearts been sealed with locks? 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 are averse to the faith that Allah has revealed: “In some matters we shall obey you.” Allah has full knowledge of their secret parleys. 26 Then how (will it be) when the angels will take their souls at death, smiting their faces and their backs? 27 That is because they followed that which angered Allah, and hated that which pleased Him. So He made their deeds fruitless. 28