سَيَقُولُ لَكَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ شَغَلَتْنَآ أَمْوَٰلُنَا وَأَهْلُونَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا إِنْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ ضَرًّا أَوْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ نَفْعًۢا ۚ بَلْ كَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۢا 11
Translations
Those who remained behind of the bedouins will say to you, "Our properties and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us." They say with their tongues what is not within their hearts. Say, "Then who could prevent Allāh at all if He intended for you harm or intended for you benefit? Rather, ever is Allāh, of what you do, Aware.
Transliteration
Sayaqoolu laka al-mukhallafoona min al-a'raabi shaghalat-na amwaluna wa-ahluna fasta-ghfir lana. Yaqooluna bi-alsinatihim ma laysa fi qulubihim. Qul faman yamliku lakum min-Allah shay-an in arada bikum darran aw arada bikum nafa'an. Bal kana-Allah bima ta'maloon khabira.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the hypocritical Bedouins who were unable to participate in the expedition to Hudaybiyyah due to their preoccupation with wealth and family obligations, yet falsely claimed this as their excuse while their hearts harbored indifference. The Quran reveals their insincerity by contrasting their outward words with their concealed intentions, and then reminds them through the Prophet (ﷺ) that neither he nor anyone else possesses power over their affairs—only Allah controls benefit and harm. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this serves as both a rebuke to hypocrisy and a reminder of Allah's absolute sovereignty and complete knowledge of all deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah in 6 AH, when the Prophet (ﷺ) marched toward Mecca with approximately 1,400 companions. Some Bedouin tribes lagged behind with excuses of worldly preoccupations, though their hearts were not truly committed to the cause of Islam. The surah addresses these hypocrites and their false justifications, establishing criteria for sincere belief.
Related Hadiths
Related to this theme is a hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The best of people are those in my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.' This emphasizes the importance of genuine commitment. Additionally, the hadith about the hypocrites in Surah At-Tawbah (9:81-84) parallels this situation of those who feign excuses.
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith requires sincerity of heart and genuine commitment to Allah's cause, not merely convenient excuses or hollow words; believers must recognize that only Allah truly controls outcomes, and that genuine reliance on Him transcends worldly preoccupations with wealth and family. This serves as a powerful reminder that Allah is constantly aware of our true intentions, so we should align our hearts with our words and seek only His approval.