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 Their obedience and speech are known. Then when the affair is determined, if even then they gave credence unto Allah, it would have been better 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 God has rejected, making their ears deaf and their eyes blind. 23 Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts? 24 Verily those who have apostated on their backs after the guidance had become manifest unto them, the devil hath embellished this apostacy for them and hath given them false hopes. 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 Then how (will it be with them) when the angels gather them, smiting their faces and their backs! 27 That is because they follow what is displeasing to Allah and are averse to His pleasure, therefore He has made null their deeds. 28