ENTITLED, THE HYPOCRITES; REVEALED AT MEDINA.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
WHEN the hypocrites come unto thee, they say, We bear witness that thou
art indeed the apostle of GOD. And GOD knoweth that thou art indeed his
apostle: but GOD beareth witness that the hypocrites are certainly liars.
They have taken their oaths for a protection, and they turn others aside
from the way of GOD: it is surely evil which they do.
This is testified of them, because they believed, and afterwards became
unbelievers: wherefore a seal is set on their hearts, and they shall not
understand.
When thou beholdest them, their persons please thee:t and if they speak,
thou hearest their discourse with delight. They resemble pieces of timber set
up against a wall.u They imagine every shout to be against them.x They are
enemies: wherefore beware of them. GOD curse them: how are they turned aside
from the truth!
And when it is said unto them, Come, that the apostle of GOD may ask
pardon for you; they turn away their heads, and thou seest them retire big
with disdain.
It shall be equal unto them, whether thou ask pardon for them, or do not
ask pardon for them: GOD will by no means forgive them; for GOD directeth not
the prevaricating people.
These are the men who say to the inhabitants of Medina, Do not bestow
anything on the refugees who are with the apostle of GOD, that they may be
obliged to separate from him. Whereas unto GOD belong the stores of heaven
and earth: but the hypocrites do not understand.
They say, Verily, if we return to Medina, the worthier shall expel thence
the meaner.y Whereas superior worth belongeth unto GOD and his apostle, and
the true believers: but the hypocrites know it not.
O true believers, let not your riches or your children divert you from
the remembrance of GOD: for whosoever doth this, they will surely be losers.
10 And give alms out of that which we have bestowed on you; before death
come unto one of you, and he say, O LORD, wilt thou not grant me respite for a
short term: that I may give alms, and become one of the righteous?
For GOD will by no means grant further respite to a soul, when its
determined time is come: and GOD is fully apprised of that which ye do.
t The commentators tell us, that Abdallah Ebn Obba, a chief hypocrite,
was a tall man of a very graceful presence, and of a ready and eloquent
tongue; and used to frequent the prophet's assembly, attended by several like
himself; and that these men were greatly admired by Mohammed, who was taken
with their handsome appearance, and listened to their discourse with
pleasure.1
u Being tall and big, but void of knowledge and consideration.2
x Living under continual apprehensions; because they are conscious of
their hypocrisy towards GOD, and their insincerity towards the Moslems.
y These, as well as the preceding, were the words of Ebn Obba to one of
Medina, who in a certain expedition quarrelling with an Arab of the desert
about water, received a blow on the head with a stick, and made his complaint
thereof to him.3
1 Al Beidâwi 2 Idem. 3 Idem.