2. Surah Al Baqarah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يُخَادِعُونَ
اللّهَ وَالَّذِينَ
آمَنُوا...
2: 9. Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe,
... وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلاَّ أَنفُسَهُم وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ ﴿٩﴾
but they only deceive themselves and realize (it) not!
Asad’s Version:
2:9 “They deceive God and those who have attained to faith – the while they deceive none but themselves”) ]
4. Sura an-Nisa
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
أَلَمْ
تَرَ
إِلَى
الَّذِينَ
يَزْعُمُونَ
أَنَّهُمْ
آمَنُواْ
بِمَا
أُنزِلَ
إِلَيْكَ
وَمَا
أُنزِلَ
مِن
قَبْلِكَ...
4: 60. Hast thou not turned thy vision to those who declare that they believe in the revelations that have come to thee and to those before thee?
... يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَحَاكَمُواْ إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُواْ أَن يَكْفُرُواْ بِهِ...
Their (real) wish is to resort together for judgment (in their disputes) to the Evil One, though they were ordered to reject him.
... وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَن يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلاَلاً بَعِيدًا ﴿٦٠﴾
But Satan's wish is to lead them astray far away (from the Right).
C581. The immediate reference was to the Hypocrites (Munafiqin) of Madinah but the words are general, and the evil of hypocrisy has to be dealt with in all ages.
The type of these men is what is called Mr. Facing-both-ways in Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress."
Such men declare that they are always with the Right, but calmly intrigue with Evil and Injustice, and even make Injustice their judge if their personal interests are served in that way.
وَإِذَا
قِيلَ
لَهُمْ
تَعَالَوْاْ
إِلَى
مَا
أَنزَلَ
اللّهُ
وَإِلَى
الرَّسُولِ...
4: 61. When it is said to them: "Come to what Allah hath revealed, and to the Messenger":
... رَأَيْتَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنكَ صُدُودًا ﴿٦١﴾
thou seest the Hypocrites avert their faces from thee in disgust.
فَكَيْفَ
إِذَا
أَصَابَتْهُم
مُّصِيبَةٌ
بِمَا
قَدَّمَتْ
أَيْدِيهِمْ
...
4: 62. How then, when they are seized by misfortune, because of the deeds which their hands have sent forth?
... ثُمَّ جَآؤُوكَ يَحْلِفُونَ بِاللّهِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلاَّ إِحْسَانًا وَتَوْفِيقًا ﴿٦٢﴾
Then they come to thee, swearing by Allah: "We meant no more than goodwill and conciliation!"
أُولَـئِكَ
الَّذِينَ
يَعْلَمُ
اللّهُ
مَا
فِي
قُلُوبِهِمْ
...
4: 63. Those men, Allah knows what is in their hearts;
... فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَعِظْهُمْ وَقُل لَّهُمْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ قَوْلاً بَلِيغًا﴿٦٣﴾
so keep clear of them,
but admonish them, and speak to them a word to reach their very souls.
C582. How should hypocrites be treated?
To take them into your confidence would of course be foolish. To wage unrelenting war against them may destroy the hope of reforming them and purging them of their hypocrisy.
The Prophet of Allah keeps clear of their wiles, but at the same time, does not hesitate to show them the error of their ways, nor to put in a word in season, to penetrate their hearts and win them back to Allah.
وَمَا
أَرْسَلْنَا
مِن
رَّسُولٍ
إِلاَّ
لِيُطَاعَ
بِإِذْنِ
اللّهِ...
4: 64. We sent not a Messenger, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of Allah.
... وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ جَآؤُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُواْ اللّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ ...
If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come unto thee and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them,
... لَوَجَدُواْ اللّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿٦٤﴾
they would have found Allah indeed Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.
وَإِنَّ
مِنكُمْ
لَمَن
لَّيُبَطِّئَنَّ
...
4: 72. There are certainly among you men who would tarry behind:
C589. The doubter detaches himself in thought and action from the community. If the general body has a reverse, he blesses Allah that he was not among them, instead of being ashamed of himself for desertion.
If the general body wins a success, he does not rejoice for the common cause, but only regrets for himself that he was not there to share in the glory and the gains!
... فَإِنْ أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالَ...
if a misfortune befalls you. They say:
... قَدْ أَنْعَمَ اللّهُ عَلَيَّ إِذْ لَمْ أَكُن مَّعَهُمْ شَهِيدًا ﴿٧٢﴾
"Allah did favor us in that we were not present among them."
وَلَئِنْ
أَصَابَكُمْ
فَضْلٌ
مِّنَ
الله
لَيَقُولَنَّ
كَأَن
لَّمْ
تَكُن
بَيْنَكُمْ
وَبَيْنَهُ
مَوَدَّةٌ...
4: 73. But if good fortune comes to you from Allah, they would be sure to say, as if there had never been ties of affection between you and them,
... يَا لَيتَنِي كُنتُ مَعَهُمْ فَأَفُوزَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا ﴿٧٣﴾
"Oh! I wish I had been with them; a fine thing should I then have made of it!"
C590. Just a selfish man's thought. Such men are far from being a source of strength to their community.
They are no use in a fight, and the next verse by implication discards them.
وَيَقُولُونَ
طَاعَةٌ
فَإِذَا
بَرَزُواْ
مِنْ
عِندِكَ
بَيَّتَ
طَآئِفَةٌ
مِّنْهُمْ
غَيْرَ
الَّذِي
تَقُولُ...
4: 81. They have "Obedience" on their lips; but when they leave thee, a section of them meditate all night on things very different from what thou tellest them,
... وَاللّهُ يَكْتُبُ مَا يُبَيِّتُونَ فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّهِ...
but Allah records their nightly (plots): so keep clear of them, and put thy trust in Allah;
... وَكَفَى بِاللّهِ وَكِيلاً ﴿٨١﴾
and enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.
C600. If we trust people who are not true, they are more likely to hinder than to help. But Allah is All-good as well as All-powerful, and all our affairs are best entrusted to His care. He is the best Guardian of all interests.
Therefore we should not trust the lip professions of Hypocrites, but trust in Allah. Nor should our confidence in Allah be shaken by any secret plots that enemies hatch against us. We should take all human precautions against them, but having done so, we should put our trust in Allah, Who knows the inner working of events better than any human mind can conceive.
إِنَّ
الْمُنَافِقِينَ
يُخَادِعُونَ
اللّهَ
وَهُوَ
خَادِعُهُمْ
...
4: 142. The Hypocrites, they think they are over-reaching Allah, but He will over-reach them:
... وَإِذَا قَامُواْ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ قَامُواْ كُسَالَى يُرَآؤُونَ النَّاسَ ...
when they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men,
... وَلاَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً ﴿١٤٢﴾
إِنَّ
الْمُنَافِقِينَ
فِي
الدَّرْكِ
الأَسْفَلِ
مِنَ
النَّارِ
...
4: 145. The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the fire:
... وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا ﴿١٤٥﴾
no helper wilt thou find for them.
إِلاَّ
الَّذِينَ
تَابُواْ
وَأَصْلَحُواْ
وَاعْتَصَمُواْ
بِاللّهِ
وَأَخْلَصُواْ
دِينَهُمْ
لِلّهِ
فَأُوْلَـئِكَ
مَعَ
الْمُؤْمِنِينَ...
4: 146. Except for those who repent, mend (their life), hold fast to Allah, and purify their religion as in Allah's sight: if so they will be (numbered) with the believers.
C652. Even Hypocrites can obtain forgiveness, on four conditions:
1. sincere repentance, which purifies their mind;
2. amendment of their conduct, which purifies their outer life;
3. steadfastness and devotion to Allah, which strengthens their faith and protects them from the assaults of evil, and
4. sincerity in their religion, or their whole inner being, which brings them as full members into the goodly Fellowship of Faith.
... وَسَوْفَ يُؤْتِ اللّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿١٤٦﴾
And soon will Allah grant to the believers a reward of immense value.
لاَّ
يُحِبُّ
اللّهُ
الْجَهْرَ
بِالسُّوَءِ
مِنَ
الْقَوْلِ
إِلاَّ
مَن
ظُلِمَ
...
4: 148. Allah loveth not that evil should be noised abroad in public speech, except where injustice hath been done;
C654. We can make a public scandal of evil in many ways.
1. It may be idle sensation-mongering:
it often leads to more evil by imitation, as where criminal deeds are glorified in a cinema, or talked about shamelessly in a novel or drama.
2. It may be malicious gossip of a foolish, personal kind:
it does no good, but it hurts people's feelings.
3. it may be malevolent slander or libel:
it is intended deliberately to cause harm to people's reputation or injure them in other ways, and is rightly punishable under all laws.
4. It may be a public rebuke or correction or remonstrance, without malice.
1, 2 and 3 are absolutely forbidden.
4 may be by a person in authority; in which case the exception applies, for all wrong or injustice must be corrected openly, to prevent its recurrence. Or
4 may be a person not vested with authority, but acting either from motives of public spirit, or in order to help some one who has been wronged; here again the exception will apply. But if the motive is different, the exception does not apply.
4 would also include a public complaint by a person who has suffered a wrong; he has every right to seek public redress.
... وَكَانَ اللّهُ سَمِيعًا عَلِيمًا ﴿١٤٨﴾
for Allah is He who heareth and knoweth all things.
إِن
تُبْدُواْ
خَيْرًا
أَوْ
تُخْفُوهُ
أَوْ
تَعْفُواْ
عَن
سُوَءٍ
فَإِنَّ
اللّهَ
كَانَ
عَفُوًّا
قَدِيرًا
﴿١٤٩﴾
4: 149. Whether ye publish a good deed or conceal it or cover evil with pardon,
verily Allah doth blot out (sins) and hath power (in the judgment of values).
C655. Qadir: The root qadara not only implies power, ability, strength, but two other ideas which it is difficult to convey in a single word, viz., the act and power of estimating the true value of a thing or persons, as in 6:91; and the act and power of regulating something so as to bring it into correspondence with something.
"Judgment of values" I think sums up these finer shades of meaning.
Allah forgives what is wrong and is able fully to appreciate and judge of the value of our good deeds whether we publish them or conceal them.
Asad’s Version:
4: 60-64 Re Hypocrites of Medina (see Ali for better meaning)
4: 62……."Our aim was but to do good, and to bring about harmony"………leave them alone…….(see Ali, & Asad notes)
4: 72 And, behold, there are indeed among you such as would lag behind, if calamity befalls you, say, " God has bestowed His favor upon me in that I was not present with them!"
4: 73 But if good fortune comes to you from God, such a person is sure to say ….."Oh, would that I had been with them, and thus had a [share in their] mighty triumph."
4: 81 And they say, "We do pay heed unto thee" but when they leave your presence, some of them devise, in the dark of night, [beliefs} other than you are voicing; and all the while God is records what they thus devise in the dark of night - leave them, then alone, and place your trust in God" for none is as worthy of trust as God.
4: 142 they are deceived by themselves
4:145 Verily, the hypocrite shall be in the lowest depth of the fire, and thou will find none who could succor them.
4:146 But excepted shall be those who repent, and live righteously, an hold fast unto God, and grow sincere in their faith in God alone: in time God will grant to all believers a mighty reward.
4: 148 God does not like any evil to be mentioned openly, unless it be by him who has been wronged [thereby], and God is indeed all-hearing, all-knowing,
4: 149 whether you do good openly or in secret, or pardon others for evil [done unto you]: for, behold God is indeed an absolver of sins, infinite in His power.
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
لَوْ كَانَ
عَرَضًا قَرِيبًا
وَسَفَرًا
قَاصِدًا
لاَّتَّبَعُوكَ
وَلَـكِن بَعُدَتْ
عَلَيْهِمُ
الشُّقَّةُ...
9: 42. If there had been immediate gain (in sight), and the journey easy, they would (all) without doubt have followed thee, but the distance was long, (and weighed) on them.
...وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِاللّهِ لَوِ اسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ ...
They would indeed swear by Allah,
"If we only could, we should certainly have come out with you"
...يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ ...
they would destroy their own souls;
C1307. The arts and excuses of the Hypocrites are here exposed. If there had been booty in sight or an easy walk-over, they would have come. All their oaths are false, and in taking the false oaths they are destroying their spiritual life.
Indeed the backsliders are jeopardizing their own physical lives in hanging back. If the enemy succeeded, they would all suffer.
... وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ ﴿٤٢﴾
for Allah doth know that they are certainly lying.
Asad’s Version:
9: 42 Had there been immediate gain, and an easy journey, they would certainly have followed thee, but the distance was too great for them. And yet, [after your return] they will swear by God, “Had we been able to do so, we would certainly have set out with you!” they will be destroying their own selves: for God knows indeed that they are lying!
[re: Tabuk Expedition
8. Surah Al Anfal
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَلاَ تَكُونُواْ
كَالَّذِينَ
خَرَجُواْ مِن
دِيَارِهِم
بَطَرًا وَرِئَاء
النَّاسِ وَيَصُدُّونَ
عَن سَبِيلِ
اللّهِ...
8: 47. And be not like those who started from their homes insolently and to be seen of men, and to hinder (men) from the path of Allah:
C1216. A true description of the Makkan army which met its doom.
...وَاللّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ ﴿٤٧﴾
for Allah compasseth round about all that they do.
إِذْ
يَقُولُ الْمُنَافِقُونَ
وَالَّذِينَ
فِي قُلُوبِهِم
مَّرَضٌ ...
8: 49. Lo! the hypocrites say, and those in whose hearts is a disease:
C1218. Cf. 2:10 for "disease in the heart."
Trust in Allah brings its own reward: our eyes are opened, and we see how great, good, and wise is the Cherisher of the Worlds. Others may sneer and despise. But the blessing of Allah keeps our minds fresh and our hearts contented.
... غَرَّ هَـؤُلاء دِينُهُمْ...
"These people, -- their religion has misled them."
...وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللّهِ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ ﴿٤٩﴾
But if any trust in Allah, behold! Allah is Exalted in might, Wise.
Asad’s Version:
8: 47 And be not like those who started from their homes insolently and to be seen of men, and to hinder [men] from the path of God: for God compass round about all that they do.
8: 49 Lo! The Hypocrites say, and those in whose hearts is disease: “These people, - their religion has misled them.” But if any trust in God, behold! God is Exalted in might, Wise.
9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَيَحْلِفُونَ
بِاللّهِ إِنَّهُمْ
لَمِنكُمْ...
9: 56. They swear by Allah that they are indeed of you;
...وَمَا هُم مِّنكُمْ وَلَـكِنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ يَفْرَقُونَ ﴿٥٦﴾
but they are not of you; yet they are afraid (to appear in their true colors).
لَوْ
يَجِدُونَ
مَلْجَأً أَوْ
مَغَارَاتٍ
أَوْ مُدَّخَلاً
لَّوَلَّوْاْ
إِلَيْهِ وَهُمْ
يَجْمَحُونَ ﴿٥٧﴾
9: 57. If they could find a place to flee to, or caves, or a place of concealment, they would turn straightway thereto, with an obstinate rush.
C1317. Jamaha: to be ungovernable, to run like a runaway horse, to rush madly and obstinately.
يَحْذَرُ
الْمُنَافِقُونَ
أَن تُنَزَّلَ
عَلَيْهِمْ
سُورَةٌ تُنَبِّئُهُمْ
بِمَا فِي
قُلُوبِهِم...
9: 64. The Hypocrites are afraid lest a Surah should be sent down about them, showing them what is (really passing) in their hearts.
C1322. The dissection of the motives of the Hypocrites alarmed them. For it meant that they would fail in their policy of having the best of both worlds and undermining the loyalty of the weaker members of the Muslim community. So they turn it off as a jest. But they are sharply rebuked:
"Can you make such solemn matters subjects of playful jokes? Fie upon you! You are found out, and your guile is of no effect." (R).
...قُلِ اسْتَهْزِؤُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ مُخْرِجٌ مَّا تَحْذَرُونَ ﴿٦٤﴾
Say:
"Mock ye! but verily Allah will bring to light all that ye fear (should be revealed)."
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُمْ
لَيَقُولُنَّ
إِنَّمَا كُنَّا
نَخُوضُ وَنَلْعَبُ...
9: 65. If thou dost question them, they declare (with emphasis):
"We were only talking idly and in play."
...قُلْ أَبِاللّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ كُنتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِؤُونَ ﴿٦٥﴾
Say:
"Was it at Allah, and His signs, and His Messenger, that ye were mocking?"
لاَ تَعْتَذِرُواْ
قَدْ كَفَرْتُم
بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ...
9: 66. Make ye no excuses:
ye have rejected faith after ye had accepted it.
...إِن نَّعْفُ عَن طَآئِفَةٍ مِّنكُمْ نُعَذِّبْ طَآئِفَةً بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُواْ مُجْرِمِينَ ﴿٦٦﴾
If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you,
for that they are in sin.
C1323. See last note.
Hypocrisy is a half-way house, a state of indecision in the choice between good and evil.
- Those who definitely range themselves with good obtain forgiveness:
- those who pass definitely to evil suffer the penalties of evil.
الْمُنَافِقُونَ
وَالْمُنَافِقَاتُ
بَعْضُهُم مِّن
بَعْضٍ...
9: 67. The Hypocrites, men and women, (have an understanding) with each other:
C1324. Literally, "the Hypocrites... are of each other".
The forms of hypocrisy may vary, but they are all alike, and they understand each other's hypocrisy. They hold together.
...يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمُنكَرِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَقْبِضُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ...
they enjoin evil, and forbid what in just, and are close with their hands.
C1325. The English phrase "close-fisted" would cover only a part of the meaning.
The hand is the symbol of power, help, and assistance. This may be financial, or it may be in other ways.
The Hypocrites pretend a great deal, but are of no use or real help to any one.
...نَسُواْ اللّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ...
They have forgotten Allah; so He hath forgotten them.
They ignore Allah: and Allah will ignore them.
...إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ ﴿٦٧﴾
Verily the Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.
وَعَدَ الله
الْمُنَافِقِينَ
وَالْمُنَافِقَاتِ
وَالْكُفَّارَ
نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ
خَالِدِينَ
فِيهَا...
9: 68. Allah hath promised the Hypocrites, men and women, and the rejecters of faith, the fire of hell:
therein shall they dwell:
...هِيَ حَسْبُهُمْ...
sufficient is it for them:
...وَلَعَنَهُمُ اللّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ ﴿٦٨﴾
for them is the curse of Allah, and an enduring punishment,
C1327. "Curse," here as elsewhere, is deprivation of grace and mercy, brought about by the rejection of Allah by the Unbelievers.
كَالَّذِينَ
مِن قَبْلِكُمْ
كَانُواْ أَشَدَّ
مِنكُمْ قُوَّةً
وَأَكْثَرَ
أَمْوَالاً
وَأَوْلاَدًا...
9: 69. As in the case of those before you:
they were mightier than you in power and more flourishing in wealth and children.
...فَاسْتَمْتَعُواْ بِخَلاقِهِمْ فَاسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِخَلاَقِكُمْ كَمَا اسْتَمْتَعَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ...
They had their enjoyment of their portion: and ye have of yours, as did those before you;
...بِخَلاَقِهِمْ وَخُضْتُمْ كَالَّذِي خَاضُواْ...
and ye indulge in idle talk as they did.
...أُوْلَـئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فِي الُّدنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ...
They! their works are fruitless in this world and in the hereafter,
...وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ ﴿٦٩﴾
and they will lose (all spiritual good).
وَمِنْهُم
مَّنْ عَاهَدَ
اللّهَ لَئِنْ
آتَانَا مِن
فَضْلِهِ
لَنَصَّدَّقَنَّ...
9: 75. Amongst them are men who made a Covenant with Allah that if He bestowed on them of His bounty, they would give (largely) in charity,
...وَلَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٧٥﴾
and be truly amongst those who are righteous.
فَلَمَّا
آتَاهُم مِّن
فَضْلِهِ بَخِلُواْ
بِهِ وَتَوَلَّواْ
وَّهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ ﴿٧٦﴾
9: 76. But when He did bestow of His bounty, they became covetous, and turned back (from their Covenant), averse (from its fulfillment).
فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ
نِفَاقًا فِي
قُلُوبِهِمْ
إِلَى يَوْمِ
يَلْقَوْنَهُ
بِمَا أَخْلَفُواْ
اللّهَ...
9: 77. So He hath put as a consequence hypocrisy into their hearts, (to last) till the day whereon they shall meet Him:
C1332. If men are false to their covenants and words, the natural consequence will be hypocrisy to cover their falsehood. Such consequences will last till the Day of Judgment, when they will have to account for their deeds.
They may think that they are deceiving men by their hypocrisy, but they cannot deceive Allah, to Whom all their most secret thoughts and plots and doings are known.
...مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْذِبُونَ ﴿٧٧﴾
because they broke their Covenant with Allah, and because they lied (again and again).
أَلَمْ
يَعْلَمُواْ
أَنَّ اللّهَ
يَعْلَمُ سِرَّهُمْ
وَنَجْوَاهُمْ...
9: 78. Know they not that Allah doth know their secret (thoughts) and their secret counsels,
...وَأَنَّ اللّهَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ ﴿٧٨﴾
and that Allah knoweth well all things unseen?
الَّذِينَ يَلْمِزُونَ
الْمُطَّوِّعِينَ
مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
فِي الصَّدَقَاتِ...
9: 79. Those who slander such of the believers as give themselves freely to (deeds of) charity,
...وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يَجِدُونَ إِلاَّ جُهْدَهُمْ فَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنْهُمْ...
as well as such as can find nothing to give except the fruits of their labor, and throw ridicule on them,
C1333. When financial help is necessary for the Cause, every Muslim contributes what he can. Those who can afford large sums are proud to bring them in of their own free-will, and those who are very poor contribute their mite or their labour.
Both kinds of gifts are equally precious because of the faith and good-will behind them, and only cynics will laugh at the scantiness of the one or the lavishness of the other.
Sometimes they not only laugh, but attribute wrong motives to the givers. Such conduct is here reprimanded.
...سَخِرَ اللّهُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ﴿٧٩﴾
Allah will throw back their ridicule on them:
and they shall have a grievous penalty.
اسْتَغْفِرْ
لَهُمْ أَوْ
لاَ تَسْتَغْفِرْ
لَهُمْ إِن
تَسْتَغْفِرْ
لَهُمْ...
9: 80. Whether thou ask for their forgiveness or not, (their sin is unforgivable):
...سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَلَن يَغْفِرَ اللّهُ لَهُمْ...
if thou ask seventy times for their forgiveness, Allah will not forgive them:
C1334. An awful warning for those who actively oppose the Cause of Allah.
The Holy Prophet was by nature full of mercy and forgiveness. He prayed for his enemies. But in such a case even his prayers are nullified by their attitude of rejecting Allah.
...ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُواْ بِاللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ...
because they have rejected Allah and His Messenger;
...وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ ﴿٨٠﴾
and Allah guideth not those who are perversely rebellious.
فَرِحَ
الْمُخَلَّفُونَ
بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ
خِلاَفَ رَسُولِ
اللّهِ...
9: 81. Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their inaction behind the back of the Messenger of Allah:
...وَكَرِهُواْ أَن يُجَاهِدُواْ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَقَالُواْ لاَ تَنفِرُواْ فِي الْحَرِّ...
they hated to strive and fight, with their goods and their persons, in the Cause of Allah: they said,
"Go not forth in the heat."
C1335. The Tabuk expedition had to be undertaken hurriedly in the heat of summer, because of a threat or fear of Byzantine invasion. They marched from Madinah about the month of September or October in the solar calendar.
...قُلْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ أَشَدُّ حَرًّا لَّوْ كَانُوا يَفْقَهُونَ ﴿٨١﴾
Say,
"The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat."
If only they could understand!
فَلْيَضْحَكُواْ
قَلِيلاً
وَلْيَبْكُواْ
كَثِيرًا ...
9: 82. Let them laugh a little: much will they weep:
C1336. They may sneer or ridicule or rejoice now: that will be only for a little: much will they have to weep for afterwards.
... جَزَاء بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿٨٢﴾
a recompense for the (evil) that they do.
سَيَحْلِفُونَ
بِاللّهِ لَكُمْ
إِذَا انقَلَبْتُمْ
إِلَيْهِمْ
لِتُعْرِضُواْ
عَنْهُمْ ...
9: 95. They will swear to you by Allah, when ye return to them, that ye may leave them alone.
... فَأَعْرِضُواْ عَنْهُمْ ...
So leave them alone:
... إِنَّهُمْ رِجْسٌ ...
For they are an abomination,
... وَمَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ جَزَاء بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْسِبُونَ ﴿٩٥﴾
and Hell is their dwelling place, a fitting recompense for the (evil) that they did.
يَحْلِفُونَ
لَكُمْ لِتَرْضَوْاْ
عَنْهُمْ فَإِن
تَرْضَوْاْ
عَنْهُمْ ...
9: 96. They will swear unto you, that ye may be pleased with them
... فَإِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَرْضَى عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ ﴿٩٦﴾
but if ye are pleased with them, Allah is not pleased with those who disobey.
Asad’s Version:
9: 56-57 And they swear by God that they do indeed belong to you – the while they do not belong to you, but are [only] people ridden by fear: if they could but find a place of refuge, or any cavern, or a crevice [in the earth], they would turn towards it in headlong haste.
[see Asad note 80: Thus the Quran shows that the innermost caue of all hypocrisy is fear – fear of mral commitment and, at the same time, fear of an open breach with one’s social environment……….]
9: 64 [Some of] the hypocrites dread lest a surah be revealed against them, making them understand what is in their hearts.
Say: “Go on mocking! Behold, God will bring to light the very thing that you are dreading!”
[Asad note 89: This refer to a particular type of hypocrite: to the doubter who, not having any real conviction on this score, leaves the question of God’s existence…….but for the sake of worldly advantage, would like to be regarded as a believer. …….The ambivalent attitude of mind allude to here implies hypocrisy not merely with regard to one’s social environment but also with regard to oneself: an unwillingness – or, rather, fear – on the part of such people to admit to themselves “what is really going on in their hearts” and the dim realization that this ambivalence is only a cover for their desire to escape form all spiritual commitment ( 2:9 “They deceive God and those who have attained to faith – the while they deceive none but themselves”) ]
9:65 Yet, indeed, if you were to question them, they would surely answer, “We were only
indulging in idle talk, and were playing [with words].
Say: “Were you, then mocking at God and His messages and his Apostle?
9:66 Do not offer excuses! You have indeed denied the truth after your belief!”
Though We may efface the sin of some of you, We shall chastise others – seeing that hey were lost in sin.
[Asad note 93: ……and will not indiscriminately condemn everyone who has been sinning out of weakness or out of an inner inability to resolve his doubts, and not out of a conscious inclination to evil. (4: 98 – except shall be the [truly] helpless – be they men or women or children – who cannot bring forth any strength and have not been shown the right way”) ]
9: 67 The hypocrites, both men and women, are all of a kind: they enjoin the doing of what is wrong and forbid the doing of what is right, and withhold their hands [from doing good]. They are oblivious of God, and so He is oblivious of them. Verily, the hypocrites – it is they , they who are truly iniquitous!
{Hypocrites: two kinds explained:
[Asad note 95: It is to be borne in mind that this and the following verses refer to the conscious hypocrites spoken of in the last sentence of the preceding verse, and not to the waverers, whose hypocrisy is an outcome of inner fears and uncertainties.] }
9: 68 -69 God has promised the hypocrites, both men and women – as well as the deniers of the truth – the fire of hell, therein to abide: this shall be their allotted portion. For, God has rejected them, and long-lasting suffering awaits them like those who lived before your time. Greater than you were they in power, and richer in wealth and in children; and they enjoyed their share. And you have been enjoying your share – just as they who preceded you enjoyed their share; and you have been indulging in scurrilous talk –just as they indulged in it. It is they whose works have come to nought in this world and in this life to come – and it is they, they who are the lost!
9: 75-77 And among them are such as vow unto God, “If indeed He grant us out of His bounty, we shall most certainly spend in charity, and shall most certainly be among the righteous!” But as soon as He has given them out of bounty, they cling to it niggardly, and turn away in their obstinacy: whereupon He causes hypocrisy to take root in their hearts, until the Day on which they shall meet Him – because they have failed to fulfill
the vow which they had made unto God, and because they were wont to lie.
[asad note 105 …..Thus the Quran states that it is excessive love of worldly possessions which gives rise, in a certain type of people, to the attitude of mind described as “hypocrisy” - and not vice versa……[see also 29:11, and note 7]..in this connection the Prophet’s saying, reported by Abu Hurayrah: “The mark [ayah] of the hypocrite is three fold: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks his promise; and when he is trusted, he betrays.” ]
9: 79 -80 [It is these hypocrites] Who find fault with such of the believers as give for the sake of God more than the yare duty-bound to give, as well as with such as find nothing beyond their toil, and who scoff at them. God will cause their scoffing to rebound on themselves, and grievous suffering awaits them. And whether you do pray that they be forgiven or do not pray for them – it will all be the same: for even] if you are to pray seventy times that they be forgiven, God will not forgive them, seeing that they are bent on denying God and His Apostle. And God does not bestow His guidance upon such iniquitous folk.
[asad note 111 .”those who are so deeply rooted in their iniquity and in their insolent persistence in evildoing [tamarrud] …..that they have lost all disposition for repentance and belief” ]
9: 81 Those [hypocrites] who were left behind rejoiced in their staying away after [the departure of ] God’s Apostle, for they hated the thought of striving with their possessions and their lives in God’s cause; and they had [even] said [to the others], “Do not go forth to war in this hear!”
Say: “The fire of hell is hotter by far!”
Had they but grasped this truth!
9: 82 – 83 Let them, then, laugh a little – for they will weep a lot in return for what they have earned. Hence, [O Prophet] if God brings you again face to face with some of them, and then they ask your leave to go forth [to war with you], say: “Never shall you go forth with me, nor shall you fight an enemy together with me! Behold, you were well-pleased to stay at home on that first occasion: stay at home, then, with those who remain behind!”
9: 95 When you will have returned to them, they will swear to you by God, with a view to your letting them be. Let them be, then: behold, they are loathsome, and hell is their goal in recompense for what they were wont to do.
9: 96 They will swear to you with a view to making you pleased with them: but should you pleased with them: but should you pleased with them, verily, God shall never be pleased with iniquitous folk.
61 :3 It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not do.