And Ibn ‘Abbas, al-Dahhak, and al-Suddi said: They were the hypocrites. (1)

“Satan enticed them”: he made what was evil seem fair to them. “And granted them respite”: the reciters of Basra read it with the initial vowel dammah, the lam kasrah, and the ya’ fathah, in the passive voice. Mujahid recited it with the ya’ left uncontracted, as a declaration from Allah concerning Himself—that He does this. This recitation is also reported from Ya‘qub. The others recited, “and Satan prolonged their hopes for them,” with the initial vowel fathah; that is, Satan extended their hopes.

“That is because they said to those who hated what Allah sent down, ‘We will obey you in some matters.’ And Allah knows their secrets. So how will it be when the angels take them in death, striking their faces and their backs? That is because they followed what angered Allah and hated what pleased Him, so He rendered their deeds worthless. Or do those in whose hearts is a disease think that Allah will not bring their rancour to light?” (26–29)