This is the seventh of the ten short Medina Suras dealing with a special feature in the social life of the Brotherhood.
The special feature here dealt with is the wiles and mischief of the Hypocrite element in any community, and the need of guarding against it and against the temptation it throws in the way of the Believers.
The battle of Uhud (Shawwal A.H. 3) unmasked the Hypocrites in Medina. This Sura may be referred to some time after that event, say about A.H. 4 or possibly A.H. 5.
Summary.-False are the oaths of the Hypocrites: They only seek selfish ends: Believers should beware of their wiles and strive devotedly always for the Cause. (Verses 1 to 11 and commentary C.242).
C.242-(Verses 1 to 11)-The oaths of the Hypocrites are a screen for their misdeeds. They think they deceive with their fair exteriors and plausible talk, but their minds are impervious to the real Truth. They may plot to withhold from the men of Allah such things of this world as they may command; they may plot to expel and persecute the righteous; they may call them ill names and slight them. But to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, and He will bestow according to His wise and universal Plan. Let not the world's foolish craze divert the Believers from the service of Allah -- from good deeds and Charity. Now is the time: All vain will be your pleas and your regrets when the shadow of Death cuts off your last chance of Repentance!
63:1 SURA 63. Munafiqun, or the Hypocrites. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. When the Hypocrites come to thee, they say, "We bear witness that thou art indeed the Apostle of Allah. " Yea, Allah knoweth that thou art indeed His Apostle, and Allah beareth witness that the Hypocrites are indeed liars.
63:2 They have made their oaths a screen (for their misdeeds): Thus they obstruct (men) from the Path of Allah: Truly evil are their deeds.
63:3 That is because they believed then they rejected Faith: So a seal was set on their hearts: Therefore they understand not.
63:4 When thou lookest at them, their exteriors please thee; and when they speak, thou listenest to their words. They are as (worthless as hollow) pieces of timber propped up, (unable to stand on their own). They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies; so beware of them. The curse of Allah be on them! How are they deluded (away from the Truth)!
63:5 And when it is said to them, "Come, the Apostle of Allah will pray for your forgiveness", they turn aside their heads, and thou wouldst see them turning away their faces in arrogance.
63:6 It is equal to them whether thou pray for their forgiveness or not. Allah will not forgive them. Truly Allah guides not rebellious transgressors.
63:7 They are the ones who say, "Spend nothing on those who are with Allah's Apostle, to the end that they may disperse (and quit Medina). " But to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth; but the Hypocrites understand not.
63:8 They say, "If we return to Medina, surely the more honorable (element) will expel therefrom the meaner". But honor belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and to the Believers; but the Hypocrites know not.
63:9 Section 2. O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own.
63:10 And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, "O my Lord! Why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good".
63:11 But to no soul will Allah grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and Allah is well acquainted with (all) that ye do.
