Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (When the hypocrites come unto thee): '(When the hypocrites come unto thee (O Muhammad)) when the hypocrites of Medina, 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy, Mu'attib Ibn Qushayr and Jadd Ibn Qays-who were cousins-come to you, (they say: We bear witness) we swear by Allah (that thou art) O Muhammad (indeed Allah's messenger) we know this and are conscious of it. (And Allah knoweth) and Allah bears witness (that thou art) O Muhammad (indeed His messenger) without the need for the testimony of the hypocrites, (and Allah beareth witness) and Allah knows (that the Hypocrites are speaking falsely) that the hypocrites lie in their oath, because they do not know it nor are their hearts conscious of it.

(They make their faith) they make their oath by Allah (a pretext) to escape being killed (that they may turn (men) from the way of Allah) and bar people from Allah's religion and obedience in secret. (Verily evil is that which they are wont to do) evil is that which they do in their state of disbelief and hypocrisy, of plotting, treachery and turning people away,

(That) which I have mentioned regarding the hypocrites (is because they believed) outwardly, (then disbelieved) and became firm in their disbelief inwardly, (therefore their hearts are sealed) as a punishment for their disbelief and hypocrisy (so that they understand not) the Truth or guidance.

(And when thou) O Muhammad (seest them) i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his two friends (their figures please thee) their bodies and appearance please you; (and if they speak) saying: we know you are Allah's Messenger (thou givest ear unto their speech) you believe what they say and think they are truthful while they are not. ((They are)) i.e. their bodies are (as though they were blocks of wood in striped cloaks) aligned against the wall; He says: there is no goodness or light in their hearts just as dry wood has no life or moistness in it. (They deem every shout) every noise in Medina (to be against them) because of their cowardice. (They are the enemy, so beware of them) and never feel safe from them. (Allah confound them) Allah cursed them! (How they are perverted!) How they lie; it is also said this means: how they turn people away through lies!

(And when it is said unto them) when their clans said to them after their exposure: (Come) to Allah's Messenger and repent of disbelief and hypocrisy! (The Messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you! they avert their faces) and cover their heads (and thou seest them) O Muhammad (turning away) from asking forgiveness, repenting and coming to you, (disdainful) too proud to repent and to ask for forgiveness.

(Whether thou ask forgiveness for them) i.e. for the hypocrites, (or ask not forgiveness for them, Allah will not forgive them) as long as they persist on that. (Lo! Allah guideth not) forgives not (the evil-living folk) the hypocrites, i.e. those people whom Allah knew in His pre-eternal knowledge that they will die as hypocrites.

(They it is who say) the one who said this is 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy, especially to his host at the Battle of Tabuk: (Spend not on behalf of those (who dwell) with Allah's messenger) who are poor and needy (that they may disperse (and go away from you)) to join their clans; (when Allah's are the treasures of the heavens and the earth) when Allah has the keys to the stores of the heavens through providing rain and vegetation; (but the hypocrites) 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his host (comprehend not) that Allah provides for them.

(They say) the one who said this is 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy, especially to his host at the Battle of Tabuk: (Surely, if we return to Medina) from this battle (the mightier) i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy (will soon drive out) of Medina (the weaker) the weak and humble, meaning by this Muhammad (pbuh); (when might belongeth to Allah and to His messenger and the believers) to conquer the hypocrites, 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his host; (but the hypocrites know not) this nor believe in it.

Here the story of Zayd Ibn Arqam is also mentioned (O ye who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an! (Let not your wealth) in Mecca (nor your children) also in Mecca (distract you from remembrance of Allah) from migration and jihad. (Those who do so) whoever is distracted by his wealth and children from migrating and striving, (they are the losers) who will face punishment.

(And spend) give alms for the sake of Allah (of that wherewith We have provided you) of wealth; and it is also said this means: pay the poor-due from your wealth (before death) the seizure of death (cometh unto one of you and he saith: My Lord! If only thou wouldst reprieve me for a little while) as long as I lived in the life of the world, (then I would give alms) from my wealth and also give the poor-due (and be among the righteous) and use that wealth to go to pilgrimage.

(But Allah reprieveth no soul when its term comes, and Allah is Aware of what ye do) whether it is good or evil. From His saying (O ye who believe) up to here was revealed about the hypocrites; as for Allah's saying (then I would give alms and be among the righteous) if it is taken to mean the hypocrites, then it would mean: I will do with my wealth as the believers do and be among those who are true in their faith'.