(1–6) “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. When the hypocrites come to you, they say, ‘We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are surely liars. They have made their oaths a shield, and thus turn others away from Allah’s way. Evil indeed is what they have been doing. That is because they believed and then disbelieved, so their hearts were sealed, and therefore they do not understand. When you see them, their appearance impresses you; and when they speak, you listen to what they say. Yet they are like propped-up timbers. They imagine every shout to be directed against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them! How can they be turned away?”
When the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—came to Medina, the Muslims there became numerous and Islam gained strength there (1). Some members of the Aws and Khazraj then began outwardly professing faith while concealing disbelief, so that they might retain their prestige, have their lives spared, and keep their wealth safe. Allah therefore mentioned the characteristics by which they could be recognized, so that His servants might beware of them and deal with them with clear insight. He said: “When the hypocrites come to you, they say,” falsely, “We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” This testimony of the hypocrites was uttered falsely and hypocritically. Their testimony was not needed to affirm His Messenger, for “Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are surely liars” in what they say and claim, since it does not truly come from their hearts.
“They have made their oaths a shield”; that is, a protection behind which they shelter themselves from being accused of hypocrisy.
They themselves turned away from His way and turned away others who were unaware of their true condition. “Evil indeed is what they have been doing,” for they outwardly professed faith while concealing disbelief, swore to their profession of faith, and created the impression that they were truthful.
“That”—their falling into hypocrisy—was “because” they did not remain steadfast in faith.
Rather, “they believed and then disbelieved, so their hearts were sealed,” such that no good would ever enter them; “and therefore they do not understand” what benefits them, nor do they comprehend what would serve their interests.
“When you see them, their appearance impresses you” because of its beauty and freshness; “and when they speak, you listen to what they say”—that is, their eloquence makes listening to them pleasing. Their appearance and speech are impressive, but beyond that they possess nothing of virtuous character or sound guidance. Hence He said: “Yet they are like propped-up timbers,” containing no benefit and producing nothing but sheer harm. “They imagine every shout to be directed against them.” This is because of their cowardice, alarm, weak hearts, and the doubt within their hearts (2); they fear that their true condition will be discovered.
They “are the enemy” in the truest sense, for an enemy who is plainly visible and identifiable is less dangerous than one whose hostility goes unnoticed: he deceives and schemes, claiming to be a friend while being the manifest enemy. “So beware of them. May Allah destroy them! How can they be turned away?” That is, how can they be diverted from Islam—after its proofs have become clear and its defining features manifest—to disbelief, which brings them nothing but loss and misery?