أَشِحَّةً عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ ٱلْخَوْفُ رَأَيْتَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ تَدُورُ أَعْيُنُهُمْ كَٱلَّذِى يُغْشَىٰ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ ٱلْخَوْفُ سَلَقُوكُم بِأَلْسِنَةٍ حِدَادٍ أَشِحَّةً عَلَى ٱلْخَيْرِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ فَأَحْبَطَ ٱللَّهُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرًا 19
Translations
Indisposed toward you. And when fear comes, you see them looking at you, their eyes revolving like one being overcome by death. But when fear departs, they lash you with sharp tongues, indisposed toward [any] good. Those have not believed, so Allāh has rendered their deeds worthless, and ever is that, for Allāh, easy.
Transliteration
Ashihhatan alaykum fa-idha ja'a al-khawfu ra'aytahum yanzuruna ilayka taduru a'yunuhum ka-alladhee yughsha alayhi mina al-mawti fa-idha dhahaba al-khawfu salaqukum bi-alsinatin hidad ashihhatan ala al-khayri ula'ika lam yu'minu fa-ahbata allahu a'malahum wa-kana dhalika ala allahi yasir
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the hypocrites (munafiqun) of Medina who exhibit cowardice and selfishness: when danger approaches, they become paralyzed with fear (their eyes rolling like those losing consciousness), but when safety returns, they attack the Prophet ﷺ with sharp tongues while hoarding wealth. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this describes the dual-faced nature of the hypocrites—outwardly submissive but inwardly rebellious. Their deeds are nullified because their actions stem from hypocrisy and lack of sincere faith.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ahzab was revealed during the Medinan period, addressing the community's trials during the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwat al-Khandaq) in 5 AH. This specific ayah relates to hypocrites who failed to support the Prophet ﷺ during this critical siege, revealing their true character through both cowardice in battle and verbal hostility afterward.
Related Hadiths
Surah Al-Ahzab 33:48 warns the Prophet ﷺ not to obey the disbelievers and hypocrites. Also relevant: The hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding the signs of hypocrites, particularly their deception and cowardice in defending Islam.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith is demonstrated through consistent character and courage, especially in times of hardship—those who abandon principles when frightened and become aggressive when safe reveal the absence of genuine belief. For modern readers, it serves as a reminder that sincere faith requires moral consistency, courage, and generosity, not merely outward conformity.