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 To obey and speak good; so when the manifest command came – it would have been better for them if they had remained faithful to Allah. 21 Then, belike ye are, if ye turn, to cause corruption in the earth and to sever your kinship. 22 God has condemned these people and made them deaf, dumb, and blind. 23 Ponder then they not on the Qur'an, or are on the hearts locks thereof? 24 Surely, those who turn their backs [on this message] after guidance has been shown to them, [do it because] Satan has embellished their fancies and God gives them respite; 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 How terrible it will be for them when the angels take away their souls by striking their faces and their backs. 27 for their following that which had incurred God's anger, and their hatred to please God. Thus, God has made their deeds devoid of all virtue. 28