وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَإِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ رَأَيْتَ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنكَ صُدُودًا 61
Translations
And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allāh has revealed and to the Messenger," you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion.
Transliteration
Wa-idha qeela lahum ta'alaw ila ma anzala Allahu wa-ila ar-rasul ra-ayta al-munafiqeena yasuddun 'anka sududan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristic behavior of the hypocrites (munafiqun) when invited to submit to Allah's revelation and follow the Messenger—they turn away with obvious aversion and resistance. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this aversion is not due to genuine doubt but stems from their concealed disbelief and obstinate hearts that reject divine guidance despite outward claims of faith. The phrase 'yasuddun 'anka sududan' (they turn away from you with turning away) emphasizes the deliberateness and intensity of their rejection.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa's broader discussion of the hypocrites during the Medinan period, particularly addressing those who professed Islam outwardly while harboring doubt and malice toward the Prophet and the faith. The context reflects the community's challenge with infiltrators who would refuse to commit to Islamic law and the Prophet's leadership when called upon to do so.
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 trusted, he betrays.' (Sahih Bukhari 33). This directly relates to the hypocrites' turning away when commanded toward Allah's revelation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize that rejection of divine guidance often stems not from intellectual doubt but from spiritual disease—a hardened heart. Modern Muslims should reflect on their own sincerity when responding to Islamic teachings and ensure they do not embody even subtle traces of selective obedience to Allah and His Messenger.
Related Ayahs
بَشِّرِ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment -
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ ٱئْذَن لِّى وَلَا تَفْتِنِّىٓ ۚ أَلَا فِى ٱلْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا۟ ۗ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌۢ بِٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And among them is he who says, "Permit me [to remain at home] and do not put me to trial." Unquestionably, into trial they have fallen. And indeed, Hell will encompass the disbelievers.
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ
And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers."
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَئِن جَآءَ نَصْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْ ۚ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allāh," but when one [of them] is harmed for [the cause of] Allāh, he considers the trial [i.e., harm] of the people as [if it were] the punishment of Allāh. But if victory comes from your Lord, they say, "Indeed, We were with you." Is not Allāh most knowing of what is within the breasts of the worlds [i.e., all creatures]?