Tafsir Surah At-Taghabun Ayah 8–10 Commanding Belief in the Oneness of Allah and Warning of the Horrors of the Day of Judgment

 

64:8 So, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Light which We have revealed. And Allah is well aware of what you do.

64:9 On the day that He will gather you for the Day of Gathering, that is the Day of Mutual Loss and Gain. And whoever believes in Allah and performs righteous deeds, He will absolve him of his sins and admit him into gardens underneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. That is the great success.

64:10 And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs, those shall be the inhabitants of the Fire, to abide therein forever. And what an evil end!

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part sheds light on the proofs of the Oneness of Allah, divinity, and prophethood. It also refutes the claims of the deniers of resurrection on the Day of Judgment and refers to the punishment that befell them because of their disbelief in the Oneness of Allah and their refusal to believe in the Messengers of Allah. This part then invites people to believe in Allah alone, His Messenger Muhammad, the Quran, and resurrection on the Day of Judgment. It notes that acknowledging resurrection on the Day of Judgment is one of the requirements of belief in Allah and His Oneness. Furthermore, it warns of reckoning and recompense on the Day of Judgment and elaborates on some aspects of mutual loss and gain on that day. 

Tafsir

64:8 So, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Light which We have revealed. And Allah is well aware of what you do.

O disbelievers, truly, raising people from their graves on the Day of Judgment for reckoning and recompense is easy for Allah. Therefore, you should believe in the Oneness of Allah, His Messenger Muhammad, and the Quran. Allah revealed the Quran to His Messenger Muhammad as a light that guides people to attain happiness in this world and the Hereafter. It brings people out of the darkness of disbelief into the light of belief in the Oneness of Allah. Verily, Allah is well aware of all people's statements and deeds, and nothing is hidden from His perfect knowledge. Allah, Exalted be He, will justly recompense people for all their statements and deeds on the Day of Judgment.

64:9 On the day that He will gather you for the Day of Gathering, that is the Day of Mutual Loss and Gain. And whoever believes in Allah and performs righteous deeds, He will absolve him of his sins and admit him into gardens underneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. That is the great success.

The Ayah warns of the horrors of the Day of Gathering, namely, the Day of Judgment. It is called the Day of Gathering because Allah will gather all people on this day. It is also called the Day of Mutual Loss and Gain because the disbelievers will be the losers and the believers will be the gainers on this day.

O noble Messenger Muhammad, say to the deniers of the occurrence of the Day of Judgment: “You shall be raised from your graves for reckoning on the Day of Judgment, and you shall be informed of all your deeds and statements. On the Day of Gathering and Mutual Loss and Gain, Allah, Exalted be He, will gather all creatures for reckoning. The people of truth, the believers, shall be the gainers, as they will enter Paradise, where they shall enjoy lasting happiness. On the other hand, the people of falsehood, the disbelievers, shall be the losers, as they will enter Hell, where they shall suffer lasting and painful punishment.”

And whoever believes in Allah and performs righteous deeds, He will absolve him of his sins and admit him into gardens underneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. That is the great success.

Whoever believes in the Oneness of Allah and in what the Messengers of Allah brought, and performs righteous deeds by obeying the commands of Allah and avoiding His prohibitions, Allah will absolve him of his sins and admit him into Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, where he will abide forever. Indeed, that is the great success, beyond which there is no greater success.

64:10 And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs, those shall be the inhabitants of the Fire, to abide therein forever. And what an evil end!

Those who disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah and His Messengers and deny the signs that confirm His Oneness and perfect ability shall be the inhabitants of the Fire, where they will abide forever. Indeed, Hell is an evil end and abode.

The Learned Lessons from Surah At-Taghabun Ayah 8–10

• Allah commands people to believe in His Oneness, His Messenger Muhammad, and the Quran, which He revealed to guide people to the right path. If they disbelieve, a punishment similar to that which befell the former disbelieving nations will befall them.
• The Ayat warn people of the horrors of the Day of Judgment. On that day, Allah will gather all people for reckoning and recompense. The disbelievers will be the losers, and the believers will be the gainers.
• The believers in the Oneness of Allah will enter Paradise by the will and mercy of Allah, where they will enjoy lasting happiness. On the other hand, the disbelievers will enter Hell, where they will suffer severe punishment because of their disbelief in the Oneness of Allah.

 

Tafsir Surah At-Taghabun Ayah 5–7 The Disbelievers’ Denial of Resurrection on the Day of Judgment

 

64:5 Has there not come to you the news of those who disbelieved in the past? They tested the evil consequence of their conduct, and for them will be a painful punishment.

64:6 That is because their Messengers came to them with the clear proofs, and then they said, ‘Shall mere men guide us?’ So they disbelieved and turned away, and Allah was in no need of them. And Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Laudable.

64:7 Those who disbelieve claim that they shall never be raised. Say, ‘Yes, indeed, by my Lord, you shall certainly be raised, then shall be told what you did, and that is easy for Allah.’

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part refers to some signs denoting the existence and perfect ability of Allah and His signs in the universe. Then, Allah warns the disbelievers against disbelieving in His Oneness, the prophethood of Allah’s Prophets, and resurrection on the Day of Judgment. Their punishment will be severe torment in the Hereafter. Furthermore, the surah confirms that resurrection on the Day of Judgment will certainly take place and that people will be recompensed according to their deeds on the Day of Judgment.

Tafsir

64:5 Has there not come to you the news of those who disbelieved in the past? They tested the evil consequence of their conduct, and for them will be a painful punishment.

O disbelievers, has there not come to you the news of the disbelievers among the former nations, such as the people of Prophet Noah and the people of Thamud? Has there not come to you the news of the severe punishment that befell them because they disbelieved in the Messengers of Allah and refused to believe in the truth and divine guidance that they brought to them?

Allah’s Messengers invited those disbelievers among the former nations to believe in the Oneness of Allah and obey His commands; however, they insisted on following the path of misguidance and disbelieved in the Oneness of Allah. Thus, they tested the evil consequence of their misconduct and disbelief in the Oneness of Allah in the life of this world. They will also suffer severe punishment in the Hereafter in Hell.

The intended meaning is to warn the disbelievers of the evil consequence of their disbelief in the Oneness of Allah and their denial of the occurrence of the Day of Judgment.

64:6 That is because their Messengers came to them with the clear proofs, and then they said, ‘Shall mere men guide us?’ So they disbelieved and turned away, and Allah was in no need of them. And Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Laudable.

This Ayah mentions why the disbelievers of the former nations deserved severe punishment in the life of this world and the Hereafter.

The disbelievers of the former nations deserved severe punishment because their Messengers brought them clear proofs confirming the Oneness of Allah and invited them to follow the path of guidance leading to success in the life of this world and the Hereafter. However, those disbelievers turned away from accepting the invitation of the Messengers. Denying and ridiculing, they said, ‘Shall mere men guide us to the right path? Is it possible that men like us be Messengers of Allah?’ In other words, they thought that it was impossible for men like them to be Messengers of Allah. Thus, they disbelieved in their Messengers and turned away from following the right path. They did not even give themselves a chance to think about that matter carefully. Verily, Allah was in no need of their belief in His Oneness or their worship; therefore, He destroyed them. Indeed, Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Laudable.

64:7 Those who disbelieve claim that they shall never be raised. Say, ‘Yes, indeed, by my Lord, you shall certainly be raised, then shall be told what you did, and that is easy for Allah.’

This Ayah narrates an example of the claims of the disbelievers who deny resurrection and reckoning on the Day of Judgment. It also provides a response that puts an end to their baseless claim.

Those who disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah and His Messengers claim that they shall never be raised for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. Then, Allah, Exalted be He, commands His Messenger Muhammad to reply to their absurd claim and give them an answer that will put an end to such a claim.

O noble Messenger Muhammad, say to the disbelievers who deny resurrection on the Day of Judgment, ‘Yes, indeed, by my Lord, you shall certainly be raised for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. Then you shall be told what you did in the life of this world and be justly recompensed for all your deeds, whether good or evil. Indeed, that is easy for Allah, before Whose perfect will nothing can stand.’

The Learned Lessons from Surah At-Taghabun Ayah 5–7

• The disbelievers are warned against persisting in disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, which will make them deserve punishment like that which befell the former disbelieving nations in the life of this world. They will also suffer severe torment in the Hereafter if they die as disbelievers.
• The disbelievers of the former nations were punished because they disbelieved in the Oneness of Allah, rejected the Messengers of Allah despite the clear proofs they brought confirming that Allah had sent them, and denied resurrection and reckoning on the Day of Judgment.
• The disbelievers reject the idea that the Messengers of Allah are human beings, which leads them to disbelieve in Allah. They do not know that Allah does what He wills and sends whomever He wills among His slaves as His Messengers. They also do not know that Allah is All-Sufficient and All-Laudable. He is in no need of His slaves.
• The Day of Judgment will certainly take place, and people will be raised from their graves for reckoning and recompense on that Day. Verily, resurrecting people on the Day of Judgment is easy for Allah.    

 

Tafsir Surah At-Taghabun Ayat 1–4 Some Aspects of the Perfect Ability of Allah

 

64:1 Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorify Allah. To Him belongs the kingdom, and to Him belongs all praises, and He is able over all things.

64:2 He is Who created you; then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers. And Allah sees well what you do.

64:3 He created the heavens and the earth with the truth, and He shaped you and perfected your shapes, and to Him is the return.

64:4 He knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal. And Allah is well aware of what is in the breasts.

Tafsir

 64:1 Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorify Allah. To Him belongs the kingdom, and to Him belongs all praises, and He is able over all things.

Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies and praises Allah and affirms that He is free from every imperfection and defect. Allah is the Creator of all that is in the universe, and the kingdom belongs to Him alone. To Allah are due all praise and thanks, as He is the only One Who deserves them. Allah is praised for whatever He creates and preordains. Ownership and praise belong to Him alone, and He is able to do all things. Nothing in the heavens and the earth can stand before the perfect ability of Allah, Exalted be He.

Glorifying Allah can be with the tongue, as human beings do, or through an utterance and manner that human beings cannot understand.

The seven heavens, the earth, and all that is in them glorify Him. There is not a thing but glorifies Him, but you do not understand their glorification. Indeed, He is ever All-Forbearing, All-Forgiving. [Surah Al-Isra’: 44]

 64:2 He is Who created you; then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers. And Allah sees well what you do.

Allah, Exalted be He, created mankind; then some people become disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, while others become believers in the Oneness of Allah. Allah sees and knows all the deeds of people, and nothing of their affairs is hidden from Him. Allah will justly recompense them for all their deeds, whether good or evil. Therefore, people must fear Allah and not disobey His commands lest His punishment befall them.

64:3 He created the heavens and the earth with the truth, and He shaped you and perfected your shapes, and to Him is the return.

Allah, Exalted be He, created the heavens and the earth with truth, justice, and perfect wisdom, producing beneficial results for people in their religion and worldly life. O people, Allah created you in the best form and shape, and you will return to Allah for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, you should obey His commands and avoid His prohibitions.

64:4 He knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal. And Allah is well aware of what is in the breasts.

This Ayah demonstrates the perfect knowledge of Allah concerning all things.

Allah, Exalted be He, knows whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and nothing therein is hidden from Him. Furthermore, O people, Allah knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and nothing of your statements and deeds is hidden from Him. Indeed, Allah is well aware of what is in the breasts of people. Therefore, O people, beware lest you conceal what you do not reveal, or say and act contrary to what you hide within your souls. Truly, nothing is hidden from Allah, and He will recompense you according to your deeds and statements.

The Learned Lessons from Surah At-Taghabun Ayat 1–4

• All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah, which indicates His perfection and self-sufficiency. This glorification is continual and constant, embracing every part of the universe.
• Allah, Exalted be He, is the Creator of mankind, and He knows who will be a believer and who will be a disbeliever even before their creation.
• Allah, Exalted be He, created the universe with truth, justice, and perfect wisdom. Moreover, He created mankind in the best form, and to Him they will return for reckoning on the Day of Judgment.
• Allah, Exalted be He, knows the seen and the unseen, and He knows what people conceal and what they reveal. Nothing is hidden from the perfect knowledge of Allah.

 

Introduction to English Translation and Tafsir of Surah At-Taghabun

 

Name of the Surah

This surah is called At-Taghabun (“Mutual Loss and Gain”) to remind people of the Day of Judgment. On that day, it will become clear that the disbelievers will be the losers, while the believers will be the winners. Surah At-Taghabun was revealed in Al-Madinah and contains eighteen Ayat.

Relationship between Surah Al-Munafiqun and Surah At-Taghabun

Surah Al-Munafiqun mentions some characteristics of the hypocrites and warns the believers against imitating them. In contrast, Surah At-Taghabun explains that people are divided into two groups: believers, who will be the inhabitants of Paradise, and disbelievers, who will be the inhabitants of Hell. It also warns against the characteristics of the disbelievers.

64:5 Has there not come to you the news of those who disbelieved in the past? They tested the evil consequence of their conduct, and for them will be a painful punishment.

In Surah Al-Munafiqun, Allah, Exalted be He, warns the believers against becoming occupied with their wealth and neglecting the remembrance of Allah and the performance of righteous deeds for the sake of Allah. He, Exalted be He, also mentions that wealth and children are nothing but a trial for people.

64:15 Your wealth and your children are only a trial, and with Allah is a great reward.

At the end of Surah Al-Munafiqun, Allah commands the believers to spend their wealth for His sake. Likewise, He, Exalted be He, commands the believers at the end of Surah At-Taghabun to spend for His sake.

64:16 So fear Allah as much as you can; and listen, obey, and spend, that is better for yourselves. And whoever is guarded against the avarice of his soul, those – they are the successful.

Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah At-Taghabun

Although Surah At-Taghabun was revealed in Al-Madinah, it discusses issues related to creed.

The Attributes of Allah and the Creation of Humanity

Surah At-Taghabun begins by mentioning some of the attributes of Allah that relate to His perfect power and knowledge. It also refers to the creation of humankind, whose members will ultimately become either believers or disbelievers.

64:1 Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorify Allah. To Him belongs the kingdom, and to Him belongs all praises, and He is able over all things.

64:2 He is Who created you; then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers. And Allah sees well what you do.

Warning to the Disbelievers

Surah At-Taghabun then warns the disbelievers by referring to the punishment that befell the former nations who rejected their Messengers because they were human beings. The surah also mentions their denial of the Day of Judgment, which Allah refutes through His oath that it will certainly occur and that people will be justly recompensed for their deeds on that day.

64:6 That is because their Messengers came to them with the clear proofs, and then they said, ‘Shall mere men guide us?’ So they disbelieved and turned away, and Allah was in no need of them. And Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Laudable.

64:7 Those who disbelieve claim that they shall never be raised. Say, ‘Yes, indeed, by my Lord, you shall certainly be raised, then shall be told what you did, and that is easy for Allah.’

The Call to Faith and the Day of Gathering

Surah At-Taghabun invites people to believe in the Oneness of Allah, His Messenger, and the Quran, which Allah revealed to His Messenger Muhammad as guidance to the straight path. It also warns of the coming Day of Judgment, on which all people will be gathered.

On that day:

• The believers will regret not performing more righteous deeds.
• The disbelievers will regret failing to believe in the Oneness of Allah.
• The believers who performed righteous deeds in the life of this world will be admitted into Paradise, where they will enjoy everlasting happiness.
• The disbelievers will enter Hell, where they will suffer severe punishment.

64:8 So, believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Light which We have revealed. And Allah is well aware of what you do.

64:9 On the day that He will gather you for the Day of Gathering, that is the Day of Mutual Loss and Gain. And whoever believes in Allah and performs righteous deeds, He will absolve him of his sins and admit him into gardens underneath which rivers flow, to abide therein forever, that is the great success.

Allah’s Decree and Obedience to Him

Surah At-Taghabun further confirms that everything that occurs in the universe takes place by the will of Allah. It also emphasizes obedience to Allah and His Messenger Muhammad and complete reliance upon Allah in all matters. However, those who turn away from the path that pleases Allah will never harm Allah or His Messenger in the least.

64:11 No affliction befalls save by the leave of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah, He will guide his heart. And Allah is All-Knowing of all things.

The Trial of Wealth and Family

Surah At-Taghabun also warns against the trial of wives and children, as they may prevent a person from striving for the sake of Allah.

64:15 Your wealth and your children are only a trial, and with Allah is a great reward.

Concluding Commandments

Finally, Surah At-Taghabun concludes with the command to fear Allah as much as one is able and to spend for the sake of Allah. Moreover, it warns against greed and stinginess. The surah also mentions that Allah, out of His generosity, will multiply the reward of those who spend for the sake of raising the religion of Allah high.

64:16 So fear Allah as much as you can; and listen, obey, and spend, that is better for yourselves. And whoever is guarded against the avarice of his soul, those – they are the successful.

64:17 If you lend to Allah a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you, and forgive you. And Allah is All-thankful, All-Forbearing.

 

Tafsir Surah Al-Munafiqun Ayah 9–11 Warning the Believers of the Danger of Worldly Distraction

 

63:9 O you who believe, let not your wealth, nor your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever does that – those are the losers.

63:10 And spend of that which We have provided you before death comes to one of you and he should say, ‘O my Lord, if only You give me a reprieve until a brief term so that I may give charity and become of the righteous.’

63:11 And Allah will never give a soul a reprieve when its term comes, and Allah is well aware of what you do.

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous parts discuss the wickedness of the hypocrites and strongly criticize them. This part warns the believers against adopting the evil characteristics of the hypocrites. Moreover, the believers are commanded to spend from their wealth as much as they can before death comes to them suddenly. Otherwise, they will regret not performing righteous deeds that would benefit them in the eternal life of the Hereafter.

Tafsir

63:9 O you who believe, let not your wealth, nor your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever does that – those are the losers.

The intended meaning of this Ayah is to prohibit the believers from imitating the hypocrites in their wickedness and from favoring the transient life of this world over the lasting life of the Hereafter.

O you who believe in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad, do not let your wealth or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah and from performing righteous deeds that will benefit you in the Hereafter. This includes occupying yourselves with collecting wealth and taking care of your children to the exclusion of preparing yourselves for the Hereafter.

The remembrance of Allah in this Ayah refers to all obligations that Allah has commanded the believers to perform and all types of righteous deeds for which the believer will be rewarded.

The Ayah refers specifically to wealth and children because people usually occupy themselves with caring for them while neglecting what will benefit them in the Hereafter. A person may spend most of his life collecting wealth. In addition, many people may neglect fulfilling their religious and moral obligations in pursuit of wealth.

63:9 O you who believe, let not your wealth, nor your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah.

This Ayah implies that if one seeks to collect wealth and take care of his children without allowing them to divert him from performing his obligations and remembering Allah, then he will not be blamed; rather, Allah will be pleased with him.

And whoever does that – those are the losers.

Those who occupy themselves with collecting wealth and taking care of their children to the exclusion of fulfilling their obligations are the losers. That is because they neglect the commands of Allah and favor the transient life of this world over the lasting life of the Hereafter.

63:10 And spend of that which We have provided you before death comes to one of you and he should say, ‘O my Lord, if only You give me a reprieve until a brief term so that I may give charity and become of the righteous.’

Allah, Exalted be He, exhorts the believers to spend for His sake.

O you who believe in Allah and His Messenger, spend from what Allah has provided you on righteous deeds to thank Allah for His blessings before death comes to one of you and he regrets not doing so. When death approaches one of you, he will say, ‘O my Lord, if only You give me a reprieve until a brief term so that I may give charity for Your sake and become of the righteous.’

This statement indicates that every neglectful person will suffer intense regret at the time of death and will wish to be given a brief extension so that he may make up for his past negligence.

Spending in this Ayah refers to spending one’s wealth on all kinds of righteous deeds, including obligatory and voluntary charity and other beneficial deeds.

Moreover, the Ayah indicates that spending should be from some of one’s wealth and not all of it. This demonstrates the mercy of Allah toward His slaves, as He does not obligate them to spend all their wealth on charitable causes.

In other words, O you who believe, do not let your wealth and children divert you from obeying Allah, Exalted be He. Rather, you should always obey His commands and spend on charitable causes as much as you can before the signs of death approach you. Otherwise, you will strongly regret failing to perform righteous deeds while you were healthy and capable of doing so. When death comes, hoping to return to the life of this world will be impossible, and one will not be able to make up for the negligence committed while healthy and able to perform righteous deeds. The wealth that you enjoy is a bounty from Allah that He has granted you out of His generosity and mercy.

63:11 And Allah will never give a soul a reprieve when its term comes, and Allah is well aware of what you do.

Allah will never give a soul a reprieve when its term in the life of this world comes to an end. Allah is fully aware of what people do, and He will justly recompense them according to their deeds, whether good or evil.

The Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Munafiqun Ayah 9–11

·        The believer should occupy his time with righteous deeds, such as recitation of the Quran, remembrance of Allah, and performing the prayer.

·        The believers are warned against dedicating their time solely to collecting wealth and taking care of their children in a manner that causes them to neglect their obligations toward Allah.

·        The believers should fulfill their obligations as soon as they become due because they do not know when death will come.

·        The believers should spend from the wealth that Allah has given them on righteous deeds.

·        Those who neglect abiding by the commands of Allah will deeply regret it when death comes. They will wish to return to the life of this world to perform righteous deeds; however, it will be too late. Allah will never delay the appointed time of death.

·        Allah is fully aware of what people do, and He will justly recompense them according to their deeds, whether good or evil.

 

Tafsir Surah Al-Munafiqun Ayah 5–8 Proofs Attesting to the Lying of the Hypocrites

 

63:5 And when it is said to them, ‘Come, and Allah’s Messenger will ask forgiveness for you,’ they twist their heads, and you see them turning away arrogantly.

63:6 It is the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; Allah will never forgive them. Verily, Allah guides not the disobedient people.

63:7 They are the ones who say, ‘Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they desert him.’ And to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand.

63:8 They say, ‘If we return to Al-Madinah, the more honorable ones will expel the meaner ones therefrom’; and to Allah belong the honor, and to His Messenger and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part discloses the hideous characteristics of the hypocrites. This part then presents proofs attesting to their repugnant traits through real-life examples, such as their refusal to apologize for their mistakes and their insistence on expelling the believers from Al-Madinah after the battle of Banu Al-Mustaliq.

Tafsir

63:5 And when it is said to them, ‘Come, and Allah’s Messenger will ask forgiveness for you,’ they twist their heads, and you see them turning away arrogantly.

The Quran exegetes mention several narrations concerning the cause of revelation of this Ayah. Imam Muhmmad Bin Jarir At-Tabari said:

‘Abdul Allah Bin Abi Salul said to his companions, “Do not spend on those with the Messenger of Allah until they desert him.” And he also said, “If we return to Al-Madinah, the more honorable ones will expel the meaner ones therefrom.” Thereafter, Zayd Bin Arqam heard what he said. Thus, Zayd informed Messenger Muhammad about the statement of Abdul Allah Bin Abi Salul. However, Abdul Allah swore that he never made such a statement. Abdul Allah was then told that he should go to Messenger Muhammad and ask him to ask Allah to forgive his sins. However, Abdul Allah kept twisting and moving his head arrogantly, indicating that he would not do so. Thereafter, Allah, Exalted be He, revealed Surah Al-Munafiqun concerning him and his companions.’

This Ayah reveals another characteristic of the hypocrites, namely their arrogance, stubbornness, and insistence on disbelief and hypocrisy.

When some believers advise the hypocrites to desist from hypocrisy and disbelief by saying, ‘Come, Allah’s Messenger will ask forgiveness for you from Allah,’ the hypocrites twist their heads in refusal and turn away arrogantly.

Meaning of: ‘Come, and Allah’s Messenger will ask forgiveness for you’

Allah’s Messenger asking forgiveness for the hypocrites means that they repent of their sins before him and declare their repentance openly so that Allah’s Messenger may ask Allah to accept their repentance and forgive their sins.

In other words, some believers said to the hypocrites, ‘A Quranic revelation has been revealed exposing your wickedness; therefore, repent of your sins, ask Allah to forgive your sins, desist from hypocrisy, and seek the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad.’ However, the hypocrites turned away arrogantly and refused to seek the forgiveness of Allah.

63:6 It is the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; Allah will never forgive them. Verily, Allah guides not the disobedient people.

This Ayah clearly declares that the hypocrites will never accept the path of guidance and will never believe in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad.

For those whose disbelief and hypocrisy are deeply rooted in their hearts, it is the same whether Messenger Muhammad asks Allah to forgive their sins or does not ask Allah to forgive them. This is because disbelief and hypocrisy are firmly established in their hearts; thus, they cannot distinguish between truth and falsehood, nor between light and darkness. Consequently, they disbelieve in reward for righteous deeds and punishment for evil deeds.

Allah will never forgive them. Verily, Allah guides not the disobedient people.

Since disbelief and hypocrisy are deeply rooted in the hearts of the hypocrites, Allah will never forgive their sins, regardless of how eager Messenger Muhammad is to guide them to the right path. Verily, Allah does not guide the disobedient people who choose falsehood and refuse to follow the truth.

The divine law necessitates that Allah will never guide to the path of guidance those who persist in disobeying His commands and who prefer falsehood over truth, and disbelief over belief in the Oneness of Allah, because of their wickedness and their love for following the steps of Satan.

63:7 They are the ones who say, ‘Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they desert him.’ And to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand.

Those hypocrites, whom Allah will never forgive because they arrogantly disobey His commands, supported the statement of their leader, who said to them, ‘Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah among the poor emigrant believers until they desert him and leave him alone.’

In reality, the hypocrites did not mean that they would spend on those believers if they deserted Messenger Muhammad. Rather, they meant, ‘Continue withholding support from the poor emigrant believers until they leave Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and it becomes a residence exclusively for us.’

Not all the hypocrites said, ‘Do not spend on those with the Messenger of Allah.’ However, the Ayah attributes this statement to them collectively because they accepted it and did not object to it.

Qatada said: ‘[63:7 They are the ones who say, “Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they desert him.”] This is the statement of Abdul Allah Bin Abi Salul to his companions among the hypocrites. He said to them, “Do not spend on Muhammad and his companions so that they will desert him.”’

And to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand.

To Allah alone belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth. He grants from His bounty to whomever He wills and deprives whomever He wills of His bounty. However, the hypocrites do not understand this reality because they are ignorant of the perfect ability of Allah, and denial and misguidance overwhelm their souls.

63:8 They say, ‘If we return to Al-Madinah, the more honorable ones will expel the meaner ones therefrom’; and to Allah belong the honor and to His Messenger and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.

This Ayah narrates another example of the hideous statements of the hypocrites. Although Abdul Allah Bin Abi Salul made this statement, the Quran attributes it to all the hypocrites because they accepted it and were pleased with it.

Arrogantly and shamelessly, the hypocrites said, ‘If we return to Al-Madinah after this battle ends, the more honorable ones will expel the meaner ones from Al-Madinah so that none of them will remain therein.’

And to Allah belong the honor and to His Messenger and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.

To Allah alone belong honor and dignity, and also to those whom Allah honors among His Messengers and the believers. However, the hypocrites do not know this because they are ignorant of the perfect ability of Allah. Denial and misguidance have filled their hearts, preventing them from distinguishing truth from falsehood.

The Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Munafiqun Ayah 5–8

• The reason for the hypocrites’ refusal to apologize for their evil deeds and statements, and their turning away from believing in Messenger Muhammad, is their arrogance and haughtiness.
• Asking Allah to forgive the hypocrites will never benefit them because Allah will never forgive them as long as they persist in disbelieving in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad and continue provoking others against Messenger Muhammad and the believers. Indeed, Allah will never guide those who insist on disbelief to the right path.
• The hypocrites urged people not to spend on those who were with Messenger Muhammad in order to force them to leave him. Allah emphasizes that He is the Owner of all the treasures of the heavens and the earth, and that all the keys of sustenance are in His Hands. Allah provides sustenance to whomever He wills and deprives whomever He wills of sustenance. However, the hypocrites do not understand this reality, nor do they understand that when Allah wills something, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it immediately comes into existence.
• The hypocrites were deceived by their wealth and position, leading them to believe that they alone were the honored ones to the exclusion of the believers. This is sheer delusion. The truth is that dignity and honor belong only to Allah and to those whom He has chosen among the prophets, the messengers, and the believers.