۞ وَلَوْ أَرَادُوا۟ ٱلْخُرُوجَ لَأَعَدُّوا۟ لَهُۥ عُدَّةً وَلَـٰكِن كَرِهَ ٱللَّهُ ٱنۢبِعَاثَهُمْ فَثَبَّطَهُمْ وَقِيلَ ٱقْعُدُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْقَـٰعِدِينَ 46
Translations
And if they had intended to go forth, they would have prepared for it [some] preparation. But Allāh disliked their being sent, so He kept them back, and they were told, "Remain [behind] with those who remain."
Transliteration
Wa law aradoo al-khurooja la-a'addoo lahu 'uddatan wa laakin kariha Allahu inbi'aathahum fa-thabbatahum wa qeela aqAAidoo ma'a al-qa'ideen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the hypocrites (munafiqun) who made excuses not to participate in the Tabuk expedition, claiming they lacked preparation. Allah reveals that had they genuinely intended to go, they would have prepared for it; their reluctance to participate was divinely inspired as a test and manifestation of their weak faith. Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that Allah's dislike of their departure (kariha Allahu inbi'aathahum) means He withheld their willingness to go, and they were commanded to remain behind with those who were legitimately unable to fight.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during the Tabuk campaign (9 AH), the final major expedition led by Prophet Muhammad against the Byzantine Empire. The hypocrites made various excuses to avoid participating in this difficult journey, and this surah documents their false justifications and Allah's exposure of their insincerity. The context is the testing of believers and the distinction between the sincere and the hypocritical.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari reports that when the Prophet announced the Tabuk expedition, some hypocrites made excuses and false claims of illness or family obligations. Additionally, the hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah mentions that sincerity (ikhlas) in intention is necessary for all deeds, contrasting with the hypocrites' hidden reluctance.
Themes
Key Lesson
True commitment to faith is demonstrated through action and genuine preparation, not mere words or excuses; when our hearts are unwilling to obey Allah, it often reflects a deeper spiritual weakness that Allah alone can expose and remedy. Believers should examine their intentions honestly and ensure they are not making excuses to avoid difficult obligations.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا مَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ أَيُّكُمْ زَادَتْهُ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ إِيمَـٰنًا ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَزَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًا وَهُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ
And whenever a sūrah is revealed, there are among them [i.e., the hypocrites] those who say, "Which of you has this increased in faith?" As for those who believed, it has increased them in faith, while they are rejoicing.
وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَـٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِى جَنَّـٰتِ عَدْنٍ ۚ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
Allāh has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allāh is greater. It is that which is the great attainment.
يَحْذَرُ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ أَن تُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُورَةٌ تُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ قُلِ ٱسْتَهْزِءُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخْرِجٌ مَّا تَحْذَرُونَ
The hypocrites are apprehensive lest a sūrah be revealed about them, informing them of what is in their hearts. Say, "Mock [as you wish]; indeed, Allāh will expose that which you fear."
أَوَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَنَّهُمْ يُفْتَنُونَ فِى كُلِّ عَامٍ مَّرَّةً أَوْ مَرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ لَا يَتُوبُونَ وَلَا هُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
Do they not see that they are tried every year once or twice but then they do not repent nor do they remember?