and his Companions, claiming that they were big-bellied from excessive eating and cared for nothing but food; that their tongues were the most given to lying; and that, when battle was joined, no one was more cowardly—that they feared meeting the enemy, never stood their ground, but turned and fled. Such were the words the hypocrites spoke about the Messenger ﷺ and his Companions.

Yet if you reflect, you will see that these traits fit the hypocrites perfectly, not the believers. The hypocrites are among the most grasping after life, the most deceitful of tongue, and the most craven when the fighting begins. In truth, the description belongs to those very hypocrites.

Even so, Allah says, “If you ask them, they will surely say, ‘We were only chatting idly and joking.’” That is, they claim they never meant their words; it was nothing but empty talk and play. Allah then said, “Say”—O Muhammad—“Was it Allah, His revelations, and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your profession of faith. If We pardon a party of you, We shall punish another party, for they have been sinners.” ⦗Quran 9:65–66⦘

Allah thus made clear that these people fell into disbelief after faith by their mockery of Allah, His signs, and His Messenger. For this reason a person must gird himself and guard his tongue, lest he slip and be ruined. We ask Allah to keep us and you firm upon the truth and safe from sin.