yourselves and everyone with you!”

At other times, they utter all manner of harsh, hurtful words. Yet they are also “greedy for good things”—that is, eager to obtain the spoils and wealth that have come into your possession.

Qatāda said:
“When the time comes to divide the spoils, they unleash their tongues against you, saying: ‘Give us our share! You have no greater right to it than we do.’ In battle, however, they are the most cowardly of people and the readiest to abandon the truth; but when it comes to spoils, they are the greediest.”

It has also been said that “greedy for good things” means that they are miserly with them, contributing neither their persons nor their wealth.

The root of avarice is an intense greed that gives rise to miserliness and injustice: withholding what is due and taking what one has no right to. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Beware of avarice, for avarice destroyed those who came before you. It commanded them to be miserly, and they were miserly; it commanded them to commit injustice, and they committed injustice; and it commanded them to sever ties, and they severed them.”

Thus, these people are miserly toward their brothers, yet greedy for good things—that is, eager to possess them—and so they do not spend them. As Allah says:

“And he is indeed intense in his love of wealth.”

Then Allah Most High says:

“They think the confederate forces have not withdrawn. If the confederate forces should come again, they would wish they were out in the desert among the Bedouins, asking for news of you. Even if they were among you, they would fight but little.”

He thus describes them as having three characteristics.