“Their likeness is that of one who kindled a fire; then, when it illuminated all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness, unable to see. (17) Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return. (18)”

“And when they meet those who believe”: that is, when these hypocrites meet the Muhajirun and the Ansar, “they say, ‘We believe’”—that our faith is like yours. “But when they are alone”: that is, when they return. It is also possible that this derives from khalwah (being alone), with “to” carrying the sense of “with”: that is, alone with their devils. It was also said that “to” means “with,” as Allah the Exalted says (1), “Do not consume their wealth along with your own” (al-Nisa 4:2)—that is, along with your own wealth. “Their devils” means their leaders and soothsayers.

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: They were five Jewish men: Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf in Medina; Abu Burdah among Banu Aslam; Abd al-Dar in Juhaynah; Awf ibn Amir among Banu Asad; and Abd Allah ibn al-Sawda in Syria. No soothsayer exists except that he has a devil who follows him.