(46–48) “Had they truly wished to go forth, they would have made preparations for it. But Allah disliked their setting out, so He held them back, and it was said, ‘Remain behind with those who remain.’ * Had they gone forth among you, they would only have increased you in disorder and would have rushed to and fro in your midst, seeking to sow discord among you. And among you are those who would eagerly listen to them. Allah knows the wrongdoers.”

Allah Most High explains that the hypocrites who remained behind had displayed signs making it clear that they had no intention whatsoever of setting out for jihad, and that the excuses they offered were false. A valid excuse is an impediment that prevents a person after he has exerted his utmost effort and pursued the means of setting out, only then to be prevented by a legitimate impediment. Such a person is excused.

As for these hypocrites, “had they truly wished to go forth, they would have made preparations for it.” That is, they would have readied themselves and taken whatever measures were within their power. Since they made no preparations, however, it became known that they did not wish to go forth.

“But Allah disliked their setting out” with you for battle, “so He held them back” by His decree and ordainment. Although He had commanded and urged them to go forth and had made them capable of doing so, in His wisdom He did not will to aid them. Rather, He forsook them and held them back. “And it was said, ‘Remain behind with those who remain’”—with the women and those who had valid excuses.

He then mentioned the wisdom behind this, saying: “Had they gone forth among you, they would only have increased you in disorder,” that is, in deficiency.

“And they would have rushed to and fro in your midst,” striving to spread discord and evil among you and to divide your united ranks. “Seeking to sow discord among you,” that is, they are eager to lead you into turmoil and to cast enmity among you.

“And among you” are people of weak understanding “who would eagerly listen to them,” meaning that they would respond to their appeals and be deceived by them. Since the hypocrites are eager to forsake you, spread evil among you, and discourage you from confronting your enemies—and since there are among you those who would accept what they say and seek their counsel—then imagine the evil that would result from their setting out with the believers and the great harm they would cause. Allah therefore possesses perfect wisdom in holding them back and preventing them from setting out with His believing servants, out of mercy and kindness toward them, sparing them the presence of those who would bring them no benefit but would instead harm them.

“Allah knows the wrongdoers,” and so He teaches His servants how to guard against them and makes clear to them the evils arising from associating with them.