وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَهَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَـٰنِهِمْ ۙ إِنَّهُمْ لَمَعَكُمْ ۚ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ خَـٰسِرِينَ 53
Translations
And those who believe will say, "Are these the ones who swore by Allāh their strongest oaths that indeed they were with you?" Their deeds have become worthless, and they have become losers.
Transliteration
Wa-yaqūlu alladhīna āmanū a-hāulā'i alladhīna aqsamū billāhi jahda aymānihim innnahum lamaʿakum habitat aʿmāluhum fa-aṣbahū khāsirīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the hypocrites (munāfiqūn) who swore vehement oaths that they were believers and loyal companions of the Prophet Muhammad, yet their deeds contradicted their words. The believers, witnessing the hypocrites' exposure and their false oaths, express astonishment at how quickly these individuals' deeds became nullified and they became losers in both this world and the Hereafter. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this ayah emphasizes that sincerity cannot be faked—one's true character is eventually revealed through actions, and those who deceive others and Allah will find their efforts rendered worthless.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a broader Medinan passage addressing the hypocrites of Medina who claimed faith outwardly while harboring disbelief and sedition. The context relates to incidents where the hypocrites made false oaths of allegiance to the Muslim community, particularly during the Prophet's lifetime when various groups attempted to infiltrate the Muslim ranks. The ayah illustrates the consequences of such deception.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The sign of a hypocrite is three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays.' (Sahih Bukhari 33). Additionally, 'Whoever has these four characteristics is a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has a characteristic of hypocrisy until he leaves it.' (Sahih Muslim 58)
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that sincere faith must be reflected in consistent actions and truthfulness; hypocrisy and pretense ultimately lead to spiritual loss and ruin. For modern believers, it serves as a reminder that integrity and authentic commitment to faith are paramount, and that deceptive actions—no matter how well-intentioned oaths appear—cannot substitute for genuine righteousness.