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 [to God's call] and a word that could win [His] approval: for, since the matter has been resolved [by His revelation,] it would be but for their own good to remain true to God. 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 Will they not, then, ponder over this Quran? Or are there locks upon their hearts? 24 Surely (as for) those who return on their backs after that guidance has become manifest to them, the Shaitan has made it a light matter to them; and He gives them respite. 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 How terrible it will be for them when the angels take away their souls by striking 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