1. The hypocrites were orally expressing their belief in the prophethood of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) but their hearts were not believing in it. Oral expression of Faith is not enough for a true believer. It must be accompanied by the conviction of the heart. If a man recites the Kalima of Islam by his mouth but the heart is devoid of Faith (Iman) then such a Faith is not reliable in the sight of Almighty Allah. Such a person is not a Muslim but he is a Munafiq (hypocrite). It is so because there is a contradiction in his word and thought (in his outer and inner condition). Hence he is a liar in his oath or witness though the fact about which he is giving witness, that is the fact that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, is a truth in itself.

The internal enemies with whom the Holy Prophet had to deal in Madina were these very hypocrites who were related to the tribes of Bani Khazraj etc. They were also friendly with the Jews. At their (of the Jews) instigation they used to raise mischief after mischief among Muslims. Hence the Holy Quran has reprimanded them on a number of occasions. Particularly, in this Surah, they are made its subject matter so that this element may not flourish in the Muslim society.

2. Here the witness is called an oath. It indicates that ‘Yameen’ (oath) is in the sense of a witness. The oaths of heavens, earth, winds etc occurring in the Quran are also in this sense of witness. It means these things testify to the Truth of the Unity of GOD (Tawheed) and to the Day of Resurrection (reckoning).

The hypocrites were, every now and then, taking oaths in order to make others believe that they were true in their claims. They had, thus made the oaths a kind of defensive shield.

3. To stop from the way of Allah is to refrain from Islam. As a result of their false oath-taking they could not cross the field of talking and could not proceed on the Path of Islam. Their road was blocked for them.

4. That is, they remained in a state of disbelief even after entering the Muslim society. As a consequence of this ungratefulness and nonappreciation on their part they lost the ability to accept the Truth. Their thinking became so perverse that they can not comprehend even straight matters.

For the explanation of the sealing of the heart, please see Surah Baqarah, note 15.

5. That is, the condition of these hypocrites is such that they look very hale and healthy and fluent in talking. They talk in such an impressive manner that the hearer may be surprised. But from inside they are hollow and totally useless like wooden logs propped up by the walls. It means these people have no wisdom at all. They do not get any benefit from their presence in the audience of the holy prophet but they sit reclined to the walls as if they are lifeless logs.

6. This is a picturisation of their cowardness. Whenever they hear any harsh voice or a loud word of warning they take it against themselves. It is indeed the thief within their heart which makes them restless, and fearful.

7. These hypocrites are, in fact, enemies of Islam and Muslims. Therefore one must be cautious of them as one has to be aware of ones enemy.

One should not think that such enemies of Islam lived only in that age, No, they are found in a big number in our times too. While living in the Muslim society they are raising mischief after mischief against Islam and Muslims. It is absolutely essential to beware of their plans and plots.

8. This is a word of condemnation by God for them.

9. The hint is that their rein is in the hand of the devil (satan) who drives them in the wrong direction constantly.

10. Just see the contradiction in their claim to be believers and their gesture of turning away their heads arrogantly. When they are told you should repent over what you did earlier and come to the holy prophet so that he may pray for your forgiving they swing their heads as if this suggestion has no significance in their proud thinking. Their arrogance prevents them from humbleness.

11. Since the hypocrites (Munafiqs) are, in fact disbelievers (Kafir) Allah has decided that they should never be pardoned, even if the holy prophet prays for them. One of the ways for their pardon was that they would have repented (offered Taubah) and reformed themselves. But as they are adamant in their hypocrisy as a result of which their hearts have hardened so now they are not going to repent.

Quran has made it quite clear that pardoning of sins is the prerogative of Allah alone. None of the prophets have this power. Hence the belief of the Christians that Jesus (Isa Alaihis Salam: peace be upon him) will pardon the sins committed by his followers is totally false.

For further clarification please see Surah Taubah, Note:147.

12. Guidance is gained only by those who are prepared to bow before Allah and to obey his commandments. But those whose pride prevents them from doing so and who want to remain disobedient are not shown the path of guidance by Allah.

13. The Ansars (helpers) of Madinah had given shelter to the migrants from Makkah in their homes and they were generously spending their money for them. This help to the Muhajirs (migrants) was a help to the supporters of the holy prophet. But this work did not please the hypocrites among the people of Madinah who wanted that these helpers should leave the holy Prophet alone. Therefore, they were preventing them from offering such help.

14. ’Rizq’ (provision or livelihood) is not in the control of anyone save Allah who is the owner of the treasures of the heavens and the earth. If HE wants to help the Muhajirs of Makkah, HE will open up any avenue for them. These hypocrites cannot stop anyone’s provision against the will of Allah. Yet they could not understand even such a clear thing. Since they were just like wooden beams how could they understand?

15. These were the words of the chief of hypocrites Abdullah bin Ubayy, which he uttered when the holy prophet was returning with his companions form the war of Bani al Mustalaq (6 H.E.). A tussle had occurred then ‘between a Muhaajir and an Ansaar about fetching water. When Abdullah bin Ubayy heard of it he considered it an insult of the Ansars. Getting annoyed he said: You, Ansars, should stop helping the Muhajirs so that they may scatter away. He also barked that after reaching Madinah the honourable would drive away the mean ones. In his opinion the Muhaajirs were mean. He uttered a thing which was also an attack on the dignity of the holy prophet. A young companion of the holy prophet whose name was Zaid bin Arqam, heard it. He described it to the holy prophet. When the holy prophet asked about it to Abdullah bin Ubayy he denied having said such a thing. When the holy prophet reached Madinah, this ayat was revealed. He called zaid bin Arqam and told him that Allah had testified his narration. (Bukhari, Kitabut Tafseer).

Reacting angrily to this disrespectful and mischievous deed Umar wanted to kill Abdullah bin Ubayy but the holy prophet did not allow it. He continued to forgive him and also other hypocrites because Muslims were still confronting their outside enemies, the polytheists and the Jews. In those circumstances it was not wise to start fighting with the internal foes. But when, after the war of Tabook, Islam gained supremacy over the entire Arab land, the Divine commandment to deal sternly with the hypocrites was revealed. So it is mentioned in Surah Taubah:

“O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and deal sternly with them.” (Taubah:73)

But Abdullah bin Ubayy was no more at that time. He had already died. Other hypocrites who had not till then mended their ways were dealt with severely. Then when the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) passed away from this world, and when Abu Bakr became the caliph, and the hypocrites raised their revolt and refused to pay Zakaat, and some of them even rejected Islam openly (became murtad), the wise caliph fought with them and destroyed them completely. Thus those hypocrites had to taste a bitter humiliation at the hands of Muslims. This was the Divine punishment which they got in this world.

16. That is, these hypocrites regard their false prestige as every thing, But the truth is that real honour is only for Allah as HE is the Great, the Mighty, the Supreme. Thereafter honour is for him whom HE bestows honour. Since a messenger conveys Divine Message he is the rightful owner of real honour. Then, as the believers are also the faithful and loyal slaves of Allah, they too are gifted with real honour by Almighty Allah.