Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Al-Tawbah (The Repentance) | MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPOCRISYhateful as that was to them. However, they remained on the look out for a chance tocause trouble for the Muslims.Absurdity Carried Too FarThe sūrah goes on to report some of their fabricated excuses and to expose their illintentions towards the Prophet and the Muslim community: “There is among them[many a] one who may say: ‘Give me leave to stay behind, and do not expose me totemptation.’ Surely they have succumbed to temptation. Hell is certain to engulf theunbelievers. Your good fortune grieves them; but if a disaster befalls you, they will say: ‘Weare lucky to have taken our precautions.’ Thus they turn away rejoicing. Say: ‘Nothing willbefall us except what God has decreed. He is our Guardian. In God alone should the believersplace their trust.’ Say: ‘Are you waiting for something [bad] to happen to us?; but [nothingmay happen to us except] one of the two best things. On our part we are waiting for God toinflict upon you a scourge, either directly from Himself or by our hands. Wait, then, if youwill; we shall also be waiting.’” (Verses 49-52)It is authentically reported by several authorities that one day when the Prophetwas making preparations for the Tabūk Expedition, he said to al-Jadd ibn Qays, ofthe Salamah clan: “What would you say, Jadd, to a confrontation with theByzantines?” He answered: “Or would you rather excuse me, Messenger of God, sothat I am not exposed to temptation? My people are aware that no one is more fondof women than me. I fear that should I see the Byzantine women, I would not be ableto resist them.” The Prophet turned away from him and said: “You are excused.” It isto al-Jadd ibn Qays that this verse refers.This is typical of the absurd excuses proffered by the hypocrites. What answer hasthe Qur’ān for them? “Surely they have succumbed to temptation. Hell is certain to engulfthe unbelievers.” (Verse 49) The sūrah portrays here a scene in which temptation isshown like an abyss in which the tempted fall, and behind them stands hell ready toengulf them, blocking all openings for escape. This image suggests that they havecommitted an unmitigated sin and that their punishment is inevitable. It is apunishment for their falsehood, staying behind at a time of war and offering suchabsurd excuses. It confirms their total lack of faith, despite the fact that they werekeen to pretend that they believed in God and His Messenger.They certainly do not wish the Prophet or the Muslims well. They are grievedwhen the Prophet and the Muslims meet good fortune: “Your good fortune grievesthem.” (Verse 50) Indeed they are so happy when misfortune or a disaster befalls thebelievers, or when they encounter hardship: “If a disaster befalls you, they will say: ‘Weare lucky to have taken our precautions.” (Verse 50) Thus they consider having stayedbehind when the Muslims left to fight the Byzantines a wise precaution. “Thus they147