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 Yet obedience and honorable words (would be better for them). Then, when the matter is decided, if they were true to Allah it would be better for them. 21 Could it be, that if you turn away, you might make corruption in the land and break the ties of kinship? 22 Such are those whom Allah has cursed, making them deaf and blinding their eyes. 23 Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Nay, on the hearts there are locks. 24 Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them,- the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes. 25 This is because they have said to those who hate God's revelation, "We shall obey you in some matters." But God knows all their secrets. 26 How then shall it be when the angels shall take them away at death smiting their faces and their backs! 27 That is because they followed what angered Allah and disliked [what earns] His pleasure, so He rendered worthless their deeds. 28