(53–54) “They swear by Allah their most solemn oaths that, if you were to command them, they would certainly march forth. Say, ‘Do not swear. Your obedience is well known. Allah is indeed fully aware of what you do.’”

Allah Most High informs us of the condition of those hypocrites—and those whose hearts are diseased and whose faith is weak—who failed to accompany the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in jihad. They swear by Allah, “If you were to command them” in the future—or, according to another interpretation, if you had explicitly required them to go when you set out—“they would certainly march forth.” The first interpretation is more appropriate.

Allah says in reply to them: “Say, ‘Do not swear.’” That is, We have no need of your oaths or excuses, for Allah has already informed us about you. Your obedience is well known and is not hidden from us: we have known you to be reluctant and lazy without any excuse. Your excuses and oaths therefore have no basis. Such things are needed only from someone whose case admits more than one possibility and whose circumstances are unclear, for his excuse might possibly clear him of blame. But as for you—by no means, not at all. All that remains is to await what may befall you, and it is feared that Allah’s might and vengeance will descend upon you. He therefore warns them with His words: “Allah is indeed fully aware of what you do,” and He will repay you for it in full.

This is their true condition. As for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), his duty is to command you and forbid you. Hence He says: