SURAH (63) AL-MUNAFIQUN (AYA 1 to 11)

Sura (63) AL-MUNAFIQUN (The Hypocrites) Aya 1 to 11 in 2 Sections

Revealed at Madina

SECTION 1

The hypocrites

Never will ALLAH (SWT) pardon the hypocrites---All honour is for ALLAH (SWT), His Apostle and the belivers.

إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُونَ {63:1}

[Q63:1] Izaa jaaa'akal munaafiqoona qaaloo nashhadu innaka la rasooluL Laah; waLLaahu ya'lamu innaka la rasooluhoo waLLaahu yashhadu innal munaafiqeena lakaaziboon. 
[Q63:1] When the hypocrites come to you, they say: We bear witness that you are most surely ALLAH (SwT)'s Messenger; and ALLAH (SwT) knows that you are most surely His Messenger, and ALLAH (SwT) bears witness that the hypocrites are surely liars.

[Q63:1] Apabila orang-orang munafik datang kepadamu (wahai Muhammad), mereka berkata: Kami mengakui bahawa sesungguhnya engkau sebenar-benarnya Rasul ALLAH (SwT) dan ALLAH (SwT) sememangnya mengetahui bahawa engkau ialah RasulNya, serta ALLAH (SwT) menyaksikan bahawa sesungguhnya pengakuan mereka adalah dusta.

THE CONCEALED MALIGNANCY OF HYPOCRISY IS MORE HARMFUL THAN OPEN HOSTILITY. It is a source of weakness and a danger to the very existence of the community. Refer to the commentary of Baqarah 2:8 to 20; Ali Imran 3:121 to 128, 140 to 159, 166 to 168; Nisa 4:60 to 63, 65; Bara-at 9:25 to 27, 61, 63, 64 to 66, 71, 73, 79, 80, 86, 87, 89, 92, 94; Mujadilah 58:14 to 21 FOR THE HYPOCRITES.

In several other verses also the identity of the hypocrites in the days of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and after his departure from this world has been described in the light of history written by well known Muslim scholars.

†  AS HAS BEEN POINTED OUT IN THE COMMENTARY OF BARA-AT 9:25 TO 27 AND 38 TO 59 AND 80 TO 90 AND 120, THERE WERE HYPOCRITES IN HIJRA 9 ACCORDING TO THE VERSES OF THE QUR’AN, BUT ALMOST ALL THE HISTORIANS, TRADITIONISTS AND COMMENTATORS DO NOT MENTION EVEN ONE NAME AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD)  ALTHOUGH, STEP BY STEP, THEY TOOK TOTAL CONTROL OF THE MUSLIM SOCIETY, AND WHEN THEY REIGNED SUPREME IN THE DAYS OF MU-AWIYAH AND YAZID THEIR THEORETICIANS BEGAN TO DISTORT AND CORRUPT THE TRUE MESSAGE OF ALLAH (SWT).

†  SO IT IS RIGHTLY SAID THAT IF IMAM HUSAYN HAD NOT STOOD UP AND TAKEN STAND AGAINST THE EVIL FORCES OF HYPOCRISY BY GIVING HIS LIFE, PROPERTY AND CHILDREN IN THE CAUSE OF ALLAH (SWT), THE WORLD WOULD HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF THE HYPOCRITES AS THE RELIGION OF ALLAH (SWT).

†  INSTEAD OF CLEARLY POINTING out the hypocrites, following the example of the Qur’an, the Muslim scholars invented a paradox by stating that [1] whosoever pronounced the kalimah by mouth, [2] saw, heard and talked to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) was a ‘sahabi’ (companion) WORTHY of highest respect and honour, ALTHOUGH THE QUR’AN has clearly refuted this theory.

IN ADDITION TO SEVERAL QUR’ANIC VERSES, the surah al Munafiqun is a manifest testimony that there were many sincere companions among the followers of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), BUT a powerful, scheming and evil group of hypocrites was lurking in the background which seized power at the opportune time to [1] sow the seed of imperialism, contrary to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and his Ahlul Bayt, to [2] fulfill their aim of destroying the true religion of ALLAH (SWT).

·         While returning from the battle against the Jews of Bani Mustaliq in which their leader, Harith bin Abi Zarar, was killed; a servant of Umar clashed with one of the ‘ansar’ and occasioned a quarrel between the ‘ansar’ and the ‘muhajirin’. Abdullah bin Obay, siding with the ‘ansar’ taunted the ‘mahajirin’ as people who would, with their growing power, subjugate the ‘ansar’ if necessary steps were not taken to check their belligerent behaviour. He also reproached the people of Madina for giving shelter and support to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and the believers from Makka. To ridicule the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and his companions, he pointed out their poverty and declared them a burden on the people of Madina.

·         Zayd bin Arqam reported his words to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad). Obaydullah, the son of Abdullah bin Obay, a staunch follower of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), hearing all about this, came to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and told him that if he had any thoughts of condemning his father to death, he would be the first man to obey his order. The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) bade the young man not to think badly of his father and be kind to him.

·         Before reaching Madina the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) had to break journey at Baqa because a violent wind began to blow. The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) said that it was due to the death of a sincere servant of ALLAH (SWT), Rifa-a, in Madina. The hypocrites whispered among themselves that the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) was bluffing; he could not know what had happened in Madina.

·         In the meantime it was reported to him that his camel was missing. To show the hypocrites that the messenger of ALLAH (SWT) knew what they could not, he asked them to go in the direction the wind was blowing and they would find his camel tied to a tree. They went and brought the camel back that they found tied to a tree some distance away as told by the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad); and when they entered Madina they saw the coffin of Rifa-a being taken to Baqi for burial.

·         After a few days Abdullah bin Obay died. The hypocrites began to tease Zayd bin Arqam for reporting the blasphemies, Abdullah bin Obay uttered, to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

VERSE ONE clears the position of Zayd and believers like him and condemns the bogus faith of the hypocrites. THE TESTIMONY OF THE HYPOCRITES, AMONG THE COMPANIONS OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), TO HIS PROPHETHOOD IS STATED IN THIS VERSE AS A FACT, YET ALLAH (SWT) BEARS WITNESS THAT THEY ARE LIARS, BECAUSE THEIR VERBAL ACCLAMATION WAS NOT IN ACCORD WITH WHAT WAS IN THEIR HEARTS. THE HISTORY AND THE MODUS OPERANDI OF THE HYPOCRITES HAVE BEEN MADE CLEAR BY THESE VERSES.

Ë  The difference between ‘nifaq’ and ‘taqiyah’ is that:

‘NIFAQ’ shows belief outwardly and hides disbelief for worldly gains out of selfish motives,

‘TAQIYAH’ hides belief in the cause of ALLAH (SWT) with godly motives.

The hypocrites take false oaths to screen their evil deeds (Mujadilah 58:16) and to save their life and property.

»    Their double-dealing obscures their understanding which in fact is the seating of their hearts, a consequence of their persistence in disbelief and opposition to the true guidance. There is nothing in their hearts save falsehood.

»    They are like hallow timber, which is useless, and has to be propped up against other things. They are like rotten timber. They have no firm character themselves, and for others they are unsafe props to rely upon (see Hashr 59:2 and 3).

»    Their conscience always troubles them. They are under constant apprehension of exposure. They are cowards of the meanest type when they are against the enemy in a battlefield. They are the worst enemies of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and the religion of ALLAH (SWT).

»    The stiff-necked rejecters of the truth create a wide gulf between themselves and the mercy of ALLAH (SWT). No prayer for them will save them from the eternal punishment.

INTERCESSION BY THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) and his Ahlul Bayt and consequent divine forgiveness is available to those [1] who make mistakes unintentionally or [2] in ignorance or [3] under duress or [4] pressure BUT REPENT AND MAKE AMENDS.

IN THE TOTAL COMMITMENT TO REBELLION AND TRANSGRESSION THE HYPOCRITES CANNOT OBTAIN ALLAH (SWT)'S PARDON.

VERSE 8 OF THIS SURAH contains the words Abdullah bin Obey said in the course of the expedition against Banu Mustaliq mentioned above. He said: "This you have brought upon yourselves, by inviting these strangers to come amongst us. Wait till we return to Madina; then the mightier shall surely expel the weaker." Those who had come with the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) to Madina were received with open arms by the people of Madina. The hypocrites did not like this and tried in underhand ways to dissuade them from doing all they could for the ‘mahajirin’.

ALLAH (SWT) holds the keys of the treasures of man's well being. He does not leave His servants at the mercy of His enemies. The small community of believers grew from strength to strength until they were able to rely on the resources given to them by ALLAH (SWT) and augment the well being of their hosts as well. It is a warning to those who try to strangle a right cause by putting economic pressure on the followers of the truth.

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(63:1) (O Prophet), when the hypocrites come to you, they say: “We bear witness that you are certainly Allah’s Messenger.” Allah certainly knows that you are His Messenger. But Allah also bears witness that the hypocrites are utter liars! *1

*1 That is, "Although THE THING THEY ARE UTTERING WITH THE TONGUE IS TRUE BY ITSELF, IT DOES NOT REFLECT THEIR BELIEF. Therefore they lie when they say that they bear witness that you are a Messenger of AIIah." Here, one should clearly understand that an evidence or witness is composed of two things: first, the actual thing to which one bears the witness; second, the concerned person's own belief about the thing to which he bears the witness, NOW, if the thing by itself is true and the belief of the bearer of witness also correspons to what he says, he will be truthful in every respect. And if the thing in itself is false; but the beater of the witness believes it to be right and true, he will be regarded as truthful in one way, for he is truthful in expressing his belief, and liar in another way, for the thing he is bearing witness to is by itself false. CONTRARY TO THIS, if the thing by itself is true but the belief of the bearer of the witness is opposed to it, he will be regarded as truthful because he is testifying to the right thing, and a liar because his own belief is contrary to what he is saying with the tongue. For instance, if a Believer states that Islam is a taste religion, he is truthful in every respect, but if a Jew, while he is steadfast in his Judaism, states the same thing, he would be stating the right thing but his evidence would be regarded as false, for he is testifying against his faith and belief. And if he calls it a false religion, he would be uttering a false thing but he would be beating a true witness according to his belief. 

اتَّخَذُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ سَاءَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {63:2}

[Q63:2] Ittakhazoo aymaanahum junnatan fasaddoo 'an sabeeliL Laah; innahum saaa'a maa kaanoo ya’maloon. 
[Q63:2] They make their oaths a shelter, and thus turn away from ALLAH (SwT)'s way; surely evil is that which they do.

[Q63:2] Mereka menjadikan sumpahnya (atau akuannya) sebagai perisai (untuk menyelamatkan dirinya dan harta bendanya daripada dibunuh atau dirampas), lalu mereka menghalang (dirinya dan orang lain) dari menurut jalan ALLAH (SwT). Sesungguhnya amatlah buruk apa yang mereka telah kerjakan.  

See verse 58:16. The professing of faiths are all blank, without sincerity in it, there being no agreement between their mouth and their heart.

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(63:2) They shelter behind their oath, *2 and thus hinder their own selves and others from the Path of Allah. *3 Evil indeed is what they do.

*2 That is, they use the oaths that they swear to convince others of their Islam and faith as a shield to save themselves from the wrath of the Muslims so that they do not treat them as they treat their open enemies. These oaths may imply the oaths which they usually swear to convince others of their faith as well as those which they swore when they were caught committing some hypocritical act, and also those oaths which 'Abdullah bin Ubayy had sworn to contradict the report given by Hadrat Zaid bin Arqam. Besides these, there is another probability that Allah might have regarded this statement of theirs as an oath: "We bear witness that you are Allah's Messenger." This last probability has given rise to a dispute among the jurists, namely: If a person states something with the words: "I bear witness," will it be regarded as an oath or not? Imam Abu Hanifah and his companions (except Imam Zufar), Imam Sufyan Thauri and Imam Auza'i regard it as an oath (Yamin in the Shari'ah terminology). Imam Zufar says that it is not an oath. Two sayings from Imam Malik have been reported in this connection: first„ that it is an oath absolutely, and second, that if while saying: "I bear witness," his intention was to say: y God, I bear witness," or "I bear witness before God," it would he a statement on oath, otherwise not. Imam Shafe'i says: 'Even if the person says the words: "I bear witness before God." it would not be a statement made on oath, unless he uttered these words with the intention of swearing an oath," (AI-Jassas, Ahkam al-Qur an; Ibn al'.Arabi. Ahkam al-Qur an). 
*3 The verb sadd in Arabic is transitive as well as intransitive. Therefore, saddu 'an sabil-Allah means; "They turn away from the Way of Allah," as well as: 'they turn others away from the Way of AIIah." According to the first meaning the verse would 'mean: "By means of these oaths they first plant themselves firmly among the Muslims and then invent ways to escape fulfilling demands of the faith and to avoid obedience to AIlah and His Messenger. " According to the second meaning it would mean: "They use their false oaths as a cover for committing evil deeds. Posing as Muslims they weaken the Muslim community from within: find out the secrets of the Muslims and convey these to their enemies, create doubts about Islam among the non-Muslims and use such devices for inspiring the simple Muslims with evil suggestions which a hypocrite in the guise of a Muslim only could do, for an open enemy of Islam cannot use them. 

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا فَطُبِعَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ {63:3}

[Q63:3] Zaalika bi annahum aamanoo summa kafaroo fatubi'a 'alaa quloobihim fahum laa yafqahoon. 
[Q63:3] That is because they believe, then disbelieve, so a seal is set upon their hearts so that they do not understand.

[Q63:3] (Perbuatan buruk) yang demikian kerana mereka mengaku beriman (di hadapan orang-orang Islam) kemudian mereka tetap kafir sesama sendiri, maka dengan sebab itu dimeteraikan atas hati mereka; lalu mereka tidak dapat memahami (yang mana benar dan yang mana salah). 

See verses 2:7; 7:100, 10:74, 16:108, 17:46 and 45:23---The setting of the seal is only the natural consequence of the persistence in [1] disbelief and the [2] adamance against the guidance.

A mere withdrawal of the guidance, which the disbelievers were determined not to avail of it, is the virtual sealing of the hearts effected by the disbelievers themselves.

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(63:3) All that is because they first believed and then disbelieved, and therefore a seal was set on their hearts; as a result they understand nothing. *4

*4 In this verse "believing" means professing the faith in order to be counted among Muslims, and 'disbelieving" means not to believe sincerely and to persist in disbelief as usual. The verse means to say that when they, after due thought, decided to adopt this hypocritical attitude instead of adopting either belief or disbelief plainly, Allah caused a seal to be set on their hearts and deprived them of the grace to adopt the attitude and conduct of a true, sincere and noble person. Now, their power of understanding has been lost, their moral sense has become dead, and while following this way they never even feel that their habit of always telling lies, their deceitful behaviour and the ever present contradictions between their word and deed is a wretched state in which they have involved themselves. This is one of those verses in which the meaning of 'causing a seal to be set on the heart of somebody by Allah" has been made clear. These people did not become hypocrites because Allah .had set a seal on their hearts; so faith did not enter them, and they became hypocrites under compulsion. But, in fact, Allah set a seal on their hearts only when they decided to persist in disbelief in spite of professing the faith outwardly. Then, they were deprived of the capacity to believe sincerely and of the grace of the moral attitude resulting from it and were helped to persist in the hypocrisy and hypocritical morals, which they had chosen to adopt for themselves. 

وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ أَجْسَامُهُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ يَقُولُوا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ ۖ كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُسَنَّدَةٌ ۖ يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ هُمُ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ ۚ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۖ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ {63:4}

[Q63:4] Wa izaa ra aytahum tu'jibuka ajsaamuhum wa iny yaqooloo tasma' liqawlihim kaannahum khushubum musannadah; yahsaboona kulla saihatin 'alaihim; humul 'aduwwu fahzarhum; qaatalahumuL Laahu annaa yu’fakoon. 
[Q63:4] And when you see them, their persons will please you, and if they speak, you will listen to their speech; (they are) as if they were big pieces of wood clad with garments; they think every cry to be against them. They are the enemy, therefore beware of them; may ALLAH (SwT) destroy them, whence are they turned back? 

[Q63:4] Dan apabila engkau melihat mereka, engkau tertarik hati kepada tubuh badan mereka (dan kelalukannya) dan apabila mereka berkata-kata, engkau juga (tertarik hati) mendengar tutur katanya (kerana manis dan fasih. Dalam pada itu) mereka adalah seperti batang-batang kayu yang tersandar (tidak terpakai kerana tidak ada padanya kekuatan yang dikehendaki). Mereka (kerana merasai bersalah, sentiasa dalam keadaan cemas sehingga) menyangka tiap-tiap jeritan (atau riuh rendah yang mereka dengar) adalah untuk membahayakan mereka. Mereka itulah musuh yang sebenar-benarnya maka berjaga-jagalah engkau terhadap mereka. Semoga ALLAH (SwT) membinasa dan menyingkirkan mereka dari rahmatNya. (Pelik sungguh!) Bagaimana mereka dipalingkan (oleh hawa nafsunya dari kebenaran)? 

NOTE HOW APTLY THE HYPOCRITES ARE COMPARED TO HOW BITS OF TIMBER PROPPED UP AGAINST OTHER THINGS, i.e., they are useless to serve as a reliable support, i.e., they are without faith or any firmness of character. They are unsafe and unrealiable props.

Their guilty conscience so constantly pricks them THAT [1] whatever there happens any incursion of the enemy they prove to be the worst cowards. AND [2] whenever anything is revealed to the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) they think it to be against them.

THEY WERE THE WORST ENEMY OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) AND ISLAM, FOR A HIDDEN FOE IS WORSE THAN AN OPEN ENEMY.

Compare this while with the phrase in the verse 2:247 ---There, the quality of body is used in a varied sense, of strength, valour AND HERE in a sense of condemnation as a pose and promp as the verse itself explains blocks of wood with no life in it.

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(63:4) When you look at them, their persons are pleasing, and when they speak, you pay heed to what they say. *5 But in truth they are (merely) beams of timber propped-up (against a wall). *6 They consider every shout they hear to be directed against them. *7 They are your utter enemies; *8 guard against them. *9 May Allah do away with them! *10 How are they being turned away (from the Truth)? *11

*5 Hadrat 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas has stated that 'Abdullah bin Ubayy was a strongly built, healthy, handsome and smooth-tongued person, and the same was the case will most of his companions. They were aII the nobles of Madinah. When they came to sit in the Holy Prophet's assembly, they would sit reclining on cushions against the walls and would talk agreeably and convincingly. From their outward appearance and manner of speech no one could imagine that those honourable people of the city would be so wretched and degraded in their character. 
*6 That is, "Those who sit reclining on cushions against the walls, are not nun but pieces of timber. Comparing them to timber is meant to imply that they are devoid of the moral sense which is the essence of humanity Then by comparing them to blocks of timber propped up against the walI, it has also been pointed out that they are absolutely worthless, for the timber would be useful only when it has been utilized in making of a ceiling, or a doorframe, or a piece of furniture. A block of timber that has just been placed against a walI serves no useful purpose at all." 
*7 This brief sentence portrays the state of their guilty conscience. Since they fully well knew what game of hypocrisy they were playing tinder the screen of their superficial faith, they always remained in a state of alarm, thinking as to when the secret of their treason might be exposed, or the believers might feel disgusted with their evil deeds and machinations and take them co task for them. If ever a cry was raised anywhere in the city, or a noise was heard; they inunediately grew alarmed and thought it was directed against themselves. 
*8 In other words, these hidden enemies are more dangerous than the open enemies.
*9 That is, "Do not be deceived by their outward appearances. Beware of them, for they can deceive you any moment."
*10 This is not a curse but a declaration of the verdict about them by Allah that they have become worthy of His punishment and He will certainly inflict His punishment on them. It is also possible that AIIah may not have used these words in their literal sense but in the meaning of a curse and condemnation according to Arabic idiom. 
*11 It has not been pointed out as to who perverts them from belief to hypocrisy. This by itself makes it clear that there is not one but manu factors responsible for their perversion. There is Satan, there are their evil friends, and there are their own selfish motives. Someone's wife or children become his motive, and someone is driven to perversion by the evil ones in his society, or by jealousy, spite and pride. 

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا يَسْتَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ لَوَّوْا رُءُوسَهُمْ وَرَأَيْتَهُمْ يَصُدُّونَ وَهُمْ مُسْتَكْبِرُونَ {63:5}

[Q63:5] Wa izaa qeela lahum ta'aalaw yastaghfir lakum rasooluL Laahi lawwaw ru'oo sahum wa ra aytahum yasuddoona wa hum mustakbiroon. 
[Q63:5] And when it is said to them: Come, the Messenger of ALLAH (SwT) will ask forgiveness for you, they turn back their heads and you may see them turning away while they are big with pride.

[Q63:5] Dan apabila dikatakan kepada mereka: Marilah (bertaubat) supaya Rasulullah meminta ampun (kepada ALLAH (SwT)) untuk kamu, mereka (enggan sambil) menggeleng-gelengkan kepalanya dan engkau melihat mereka berpaling (dari bertaubat) serta mereka berlaku sombong angkuh.  

VERSES 5 & 6.

The adamance of the rejectors of the truth has deprived them of ALLAH (SWT)’s mercy for the intercession of the Apostle of ALLAH (SWT), would be available for the unintentional sinners among the believers who owing to their personal weakness AND NOT for those who have adamantly rebelled against ALLAH (SWT) and His Apostle.

IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT ALLAH (SWT) REFRAINS OR THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD)’S INTERVENTION IS OF NO USE, IT MEANS that the blessing of ALLAH (SWT) through the intervention of the Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) would not avail those whose heart is perverted as explained in the verse itself.

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(63:5) When it is said to them: “Come, Allah’s Messenger will seek forgiveness for you,” they (contemptuously) shake their heads and you see them holding back in pride. *12

*12 That is, they not only refuse to come to the Messenger to seek forgiveness, but also on hearing the invitation they shake their heads with arrogance and pride, and remain adamant, thinking that it would be disgraceful for them to approach the Messenger to seek forgiveness. This is a clear sign that they are not believers. 

سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَسْتَغْفَرْتَ لَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ لَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ {63:6}

[Q63:6] Sawaaa'un 'alaihim as taghfarta lahum am lam tastaghfir lahum lany yaghfiraL Laahu lahum; innaL Laaha laa yahdil qawmal faasiqeen. 
[Q63:6] It is alike to them whether you beg forgiveness for them or do not beg forgiveness for them; ALLAH (SwT) will never forgive them; surely ALLAH (SwT) does not guide the transgressing people.

[Q63:6] (Tidak ada faedahnya) kepada mereka, samada engkau meminta ampun untuk mereka atau engkau tidak meminta ampun, ALLAH (SwT) tidak sekali-kali akan mengampunkan mereka. Sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) tidak memberi hidayat petunjuk kepada kaum yang fasik. 

 (see commentary for verse 1 & 5)

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(63:6) It is all the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or not; for Allah shall never forgive them. *13 Surely Allah does not direct the transgressing folk to the Right Way. *14

*13 This thing was reiterated in Surah At-Taubah, which was sent down three years after Surah Al-Mtutafiqun, even in stronger words. In that Surah AIIah, while addressing the Holy Prophet (upon whom be Allah's peace) said this about the hypocrites: 'O Prophet (it will be aII the same) whether you beg forgiveness for them or not, for AIIah will not forgive them even if you beg forgiveness for them seventy times. This is because they have disbelieved in AIIah and His Messenger, and AIlah does not show guidance to the wrongdoers." (AtTaubah: 80). A little further on in that Surah it was again said: 'And never perform the funeral prayer for anyone of them When they dies nor stand at his grave, for they have denied Allah and His Messenger and diod while they were transgressors." (At-Taubah: 84) 
*14 Two things have been stated in this verse. First, that the prayer of forgiveness can be beneficial only for those who are guided aright. Let alone a common man, even if Allah's Messenger himself prays for the forgiveness of the person, who has turned away from guidance and adopted the way of sin and transgression instead of obedience, he cannot be forgiven. Second, that it is not Allah's way to bless with guidance those who do not seek His guidance. If a person himself turns away from Allah's guidance, rather shakes his head with arrogance and rejects the invitation when he is called towards guidance, Allah has no need that He should go after him with His guidance and implore him to come to the right path. 

هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ لَا تُنْفِقُوا عَلَىٰ مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّىٰ يَنْفَضُّوا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ خَزَائِنُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ {63:7}

[Q63:7] Humul lazeena yaqooloona laa tunfiqoo 'alaa man inda Rasoolil laahi hatta yanfaddoo; wa liLLaahi khazaaa' inus samaawaati wal ardi wa laakinnal munaafiqeena la yafqahoon. 
[Q63:7] They it is who say: Do not spend upon those who are with the Messenger of ALLAH (SwT) until they break up. And ALLAH (SwT)'s are the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand.

[Q63:7] Merekalah yang mengatakan (kepada orang-orang Islam di Madinah yang menolong Rasulullah dan orang-orang Muhajirin): Janganlah kamu membelanjakan harta kamu kepada orang-orang yang ada bersama-sama Rasulullah supaya mereka bersurai (meninggalkannya). Padahal bagi ALLAH (SwT) jualah perbendaharaan langit dan bumi, (tiada sesiapapun yang dapat memberi atau menyekat sebarang pemberian melainkan dengan kehendakNya); akan tetapi orang-orang yang munafik itu tidak memahami (hakikat yang sebenarnya). 

The hypocrites did not relish the Medinites helping the believer refugees to the mercy of the charity of the disbelievers or the hypocrites.

µ  IT IS HE WHO PROVIDES EVERYONE WITH THE SUSTENANCE, AND THE TREASURES OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH BELONG TO NONE BUT TO HIM. HE IS THE SUSTAINER OF EVEN THE DISBELIEVERS AND HYPOCRITES. HIS GENERAL MERCY IS UNIVERSAL, REACHING ONE AND ALL OF HIS CREATURES.

THIS IS A WARNING to those who attempt to strangle a right cause by creating economic pressure against its adherens.

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(63:7) It is they who say: “Give nothing to those who are with the Messenger of Allah so that they may disperse.” (They say so although) the treasures of the heavens and the earth belong to Allah. But the hypocrites do not understand.

يَقُولُونَ لَئِنْ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الْأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الْأَذَلَّ ۚ وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ{63:8}

[Q63:8] Yaqooloona la'ir raja'naaa ilal madeenati la yukhrijanal a'azzu minhal azall; wa liLLaahil 'izzatu wa li Rasoolihee wa lilmu'mineena wa laakinnal munaafiqeena laa ya’lamoon. 
[Q63:8] They say: If we return to Medina, the mighty will surely drive out the meaner therefrom; and to ALLAH (SwT) belongs the might and to His Messenger and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.

[Q63:8] Mereka berkata lagi: Demi sesungguhnya! Jika kita kembali ke Madinah (dari medan perang), sudah tentu orang-orang yang mulia lagi kuat (pihak kita) akan mengusir keluar dari Madinah orang-orang yang hina lagi lemah (pihak Islam). Padahal bagi ALLAH (SwT) jualah kemuliaan dan kekuatan itu dan bagi RasulNya serta bagi orang-orang yang beriman; akan tetapi golongan yang munafik itu tidak mengetahui (hakikat yang sebenarnya).  

This is what the Arch-Hypocrite Abdullah ibne Obai had said---which was reported by Zaid bin Arqam (vide note on verse 1 above)

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(63:8) They say: “When we return to Madinah, the honourable ones will drive out from it those that are abject.” *15 In truth, all honour belongs to Allah, and to His Messenger, and to the believers. *16 But the hypocrites do not know.

*15 Hadrat Zaid bin Arqam says: "When I reported these words of Abdullah bin Ubayy to the Holy Prophet, and 'Abdullah bin Ubayy came and disowned them on oath, the elderly people of the Ansar, and cven my own uncle, reproved me for this; so much so that I felt that the Holy Prophet also had mistaken me for a liar and 'Abdullah bin Ubayy for a truthful person. This caused me great anguish and grief. Then, when these verses were revealed, the Holy Prophet called me, and taking hold of my car, said: "The boy's ear was truthful AIIah has himself testified to what it had heard." (Ibn Jarir. In Tirmidhi also there is a tradition on the same subject).
*16 That is, "All honour belongs to Allah in virtue of His essence, to the Apostle in virtue of his Apostleship, and to the Believers in virtue of their faith. As for the disbelievers and the wicked people and the hypocrites, they have no share whatever in the real, true honour. " 

SECTION 2

Let not wealth and issues lead astray

Let not wealth and issues divert the believers from ALLAH (SWT)’s way---When death comes, none is granted any respite.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ {963:}

[Q63:9] Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanoo la tulhikum amwaalukum wa laa awlaadukum 'anzikriL Laah; wa mai-yaf'al zaalika fa-ulaaa'ika humul khaasiroon. 
[Q63:9] O you who believe! Let not your wealth, or your children, divert you from the remembrance of ALLAH (SwT); and whoever does that, these are the losers.

[Q63:9] Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Janganlah kamu dilalaikan oleh (urusan) harta benda kamu dan anak-pinak kamu daripada mengingati ALLAH (SwT) (dengan menjalankan perintahNya). Dan (ingatlah), sesiapa yang melakukan demikian, maka mereka itulah orang-orang yang rugi. 

Material and human resources of all kinds ARE BUT FLEETING SOURCES OF ENJOYMENT.

¥  REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH (SWT) introduces man to **acts of goodness, **noble and enlightened thoughts, **kind and loving disposition.

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT PROPERTY MAKES MAN FORGET HIS DUTIES AND OBLIGATION TO ALLAH (SWT) AND HIS SERVANTS. SO, BEWARE.

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(63:9) Believers, *17 let your possessions and your offspring not make you negligent of Allah’s remembrance. *18 For whoso does that, they will be the losers.

*17 Now a word of admonition is being addressed to aII those people, who have entered Islam, whether they are true and sincere believers, or those who profess the faith merely verbally. As we have explained at several places above the words alladhina amanu in the Qur'an are sometimes used to address the true believers and sometimes to address the hypocrites, for they profess the faith only with the tongue, and sometimes to address the Muslims of aII kinds in general The context itself shows which group is the audience at a particular place.
*18 The mention of the possessions and the children, in particular, has been made, for man mostly turns away from the demands of the faith for the sake of their well-being and interests and becomes involved in hypocrisy, weakness of faith, or wickedness and disobedience; otherwise it implies everything of the world that allures and absorbs tnan so completely that he becomes heedless of the remembrance of God. This heedlessness in respect of the remembrance of God is indeed the root cause of all evil. If man only remembers that he is not free but the servant of One God, and that God is fully aware of all his actions and deeds, and he will by held accountable one day before Him for aII his actions and deeds, he would never be involved in any deviation and wickedness, and if ever he commits an error due to a human weakness, he will immediately rectify it as soon as he comes to realize his wrongdoing and repent. 

وَأَنْفِقُوا مِنْ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُنْ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ {63:10}

[Q63:10] Wa anifqoo mim maa razaqnaakum min qabli any-yaatiya ahadakumul mawtu fa yaqoola rabbi law laaa akhkhartaneee ilaaa ajalin qareebin fa assaddaqa wa akum minasSaaliheen. 

[Q63:10] And spend out of what We have given you before death comes to one of you, so that he should say: My Lord! Why didst Thou not respite me to a near term, so that I should have given alms and been of the doers of good deeds?
[Q63:10] Dan belanjakanlah (dermakanlah) sebahagian dari rezeki yang Kami berikan kepada kamu sebelum seseorang dari kamu sampai ajal maut kepadanya, (kalau tidak) maka dia (pada saat itu) akan merayu dengan katanya: Wahai Tuhanku! Alangkah baiknya kalau Engkau lambatkan kedatangan ajal matiku ke suatu masa yang sedikit sahaja lagi, supaya aku dapat bersedekah dan dapat pula aku menjadi dari orang-orang yang soleh. 

PROVISION OR SUSTENANCE, IN EVERY SENSE, MATERIAL AS WELL AS INTELLECTUAL AND SPIRITUAL, IS GIVEN TO MAN BY ALLAH (SWT), so it is his duty to use, at least some of it, for the welfare of human beings, BECAUSE that is the service of ALLAH (SwT).

ä  Death comes suddenly and allows no time to amend. Every moment calls urgently to do good.

Refer to the commentary of Baqarah 2:3, 177, 245, 261 to 273 for spending in the way of ALLAH (SwT).

§  The Holy Prophet (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) said:

"Every good deed is a charity (sadqa)."

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(63:10) And spend of what Allah has granted you by way of sustenance before death should come to any of you and he should say: “Lord, why did You not defer my return for a while so that I might give alms and be among the righteous?”

وَلَنْ يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ {63:11}

[Q63:11]  Wa lany yu 'akhkhiraL Laahu nafsan izaa jaaa'a ajaluhaa; waLLaahu khabeerum bimaa  ta’maloon.

[Q63:11] And ALLAH (SwT) does not respite a soul when its appointed term has come, and ALLAH (SwT) is Aware of what you do.

[Q63:11] Dan (ingatlah), ALLAH (SwT) tidak sekali-kali akan melambatkan kematian seseorang (atau sesuatu yang bernyawa) apabila sampai ajalnya dan ALLAH (SwT) Amat Mendalam PengetahuanNya mengenai segala yang kamu kerjakan. 

Refer to the commentary of Ali Imran 3:145; Araf 7:34; Yunus 10:49; Hijr: 5; Nahl 15:61; Muminun 40:43.

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(63:11) But when a person’s term comes to an end, Allah never grants any respite. Allah is well aware of all that you do.

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