يَحْسَبُونَ ٱلْأَحْزَابَ لَمْ يَذْهَبُوا۟ ۖ وَإِن يَأْتِ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ يَوَدُّوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّهُم بَادُونَ فِى ٱلْأَعْرَابِ يَسْـَٔلُونَ عَنْ أَنۢبَآئِكُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ فِيكُم مَّا قَـٰتَلُوٓا۟ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا 20
Translations
They think the companies have not [yet] withdrawn. And if the companies should come [again], they would wish they were in the desert among the bedouins, inquiring [from afar] about your news. And if they should be among you, they would not fight except for a little.
Transliteration
Yahsabūn al-ahzāba lam yadhhabū wa-in ya'ti al-ahzābu yawaddū law annahum bādūn fi al-a'rāb yas'alūn 'an anbā'ikum wa-law kānū fīkum mā qātalū illā qalīlā
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the hypocrites (munāfiqūn) of Medina during the Battle of the Ahzab (Coalition), who feared the confederate forces and wished they could flee to the Bedouin tribes in the desert to avoid the battle. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, Allah exposes their cowardice and weakness of faith, contrasting their desire to escape with the reality that had they actually been present during the battle, they would have contributed little to the defense and would have only created discord among the believers.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of Surah Al-Ahzab, which addresses events surrounding the Battle of the Confederates (Al-Ahzab) in the year 5 AH, when the Quraysh and their allies besieged Medina. The ayah specifically critiques the hypocrites who attempted to create excuses for not participating in the battle and their anxiety about the approaching enemy forces.
Related Hadiths
The Battle of the Ahzab is documented extensively in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, with detailed accounts of the believers' steadfastness contrasted against the hypocrites' weakness. Related is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari regarding the hypocrites' reluctance to fight alongside the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true faith is demonstrated through steadfastness in times of trial and sacrifice for the community, while doubt and fear betray a weak foundation of belief. Modern readers should reflect on how we respond to challenges—do we seek comfort and escape, or do we stand firm in our principles and support our communities in their struggles?