(12) “And when the hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts said, ‘Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but delusion.’”

This is the hypocrite’s usual way in times of hardship and trial: his faith does not hold firm, and with his limited reason he considers only the limited circumstances (1), thus confirming his own suspicions.

“And when a group of them said”—a group of the hypocrites, after they had become alarmed, lost patience, and joined the ranks of those forsaken. They neither remained steadfast themselves nor spared others their evil. This group said: “O people of Yathrib,” meaning, “O people of Medina.” They addressed them by the name of their homeland, and this [choice of designation] (2) indicates that religion and the brotherhood of faith held no weight in their hearts, and that they were driven solely by their innate faint-heartedness.

“O people of Yathrib, there is no place for you here”—that is, at the position to which you had gone outside Medina. They had encamped on the near side of the trench, outside the city—“so return” to Medina. This group discouraged others from jihad, claimed that they had no strength to fight their enemy, and instructed them to abandon the battle. This was the worst and most harmful group.

Another group, less wicked than the first, was overcome by cowardice and alarm and wished to withdraw from the ranks. They therefore began offering false excuses. They are those of whom Allah said: “And a group of them seeks the Prophet’s permission, saying, ‘Our homes are exposed.’” That is, they claimed: “Our homes are in danger. We fear that the enemy may attack them while we are away, so permit us to return and guard them.” Yet they were lying.

“Yet they were not exposed. They intended”—meaning that their sole aim was—“nothing but flight.” They merely used this claim as a means and a pretext [for themselves] (3). These people had little faith, and it possessed no firmness when trials became severe.

“Had it been invaded against them”—meaning Medina—“from all its sides”; that is, had the disbelievers entered it from every direction and seized it—may that never happen—“and then” these people had been asked to commit “apostasy,” meaning to abandon their religion and return to the religion of the conquering victors, “they would have yielded to it” without delay.

“And they would have hesitated over it only briefly.” That is, they possessed neither the strength to resist nor firmness in religion. As soon as ascendancy passed to their enemies, they would give them whatever they demanded and join them in their disbelief. Such was their condition.

This was despite the fact that they had “previously pledged to Allah that they would not turn their backs; and a covenant with Allah must be accounted for.” He will question them about that covenant and find that they have broken it. What, then, do they expect of their Lord?