يَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ لِيُرْضُوكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَحَقُّ أَن يُرْضُوهُ إِن كَانُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ 62
Translations
They swear by Allāh to you [Muslims] to satisfy you. But Allāh and His Messenger are more worthy for them to satisfy, if they were to be believers.
Transliteration
Yahlifūna billāhi lakum liyurḍūkum wallāhu wa rasūluhū aḥaqqu an yurḍūhu in kānū mu'minīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah reproves the hypocrites who swear oaths by Allah to please the Muslims, while their primary concern should be pleasing Allah and His Messenger. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that true faith requires prioritizing the pleasure of Allah and the Messenger over worldly approval or social standing. The conditional phrase 'if they were believers' underscores that genuine faith necessitates this proper ordering of loyalties.
Revelation Context
This ayah is situated within Surah At-Tawbah's broader treatment of the hypocrites (munāfiqūn) who inhabited Madinah. It addresses the specific behavior of those who made false oaths to gain the trust of the Muslim community while harboring doubt and disloyalty. The context involves the military campaigns and the exposed character of those whose faith was superficial.
Related Hadiths
Related to the theme of sincere intention: Sahih Bukhari (1:1) - 'Actions are by intentions, and every person will have what they intended.' Also relevant: Sunan Ibn Majah - Hadith on avoiding hypocrisy and ensuring one's deeds are for Allah's pleasure alone.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers must examine their intentions and ensure they seek Allah's and the Messenger's pleasure above all else, rather than chasing social approval or worldly recognition. This ayah teaches that authentic faith is demonstrated through our priorities and loyalties, not merely through outward gestures or convenient oaths.
Related Ayahs
إِن تُصِبْكَ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْكَ مُصِيبَةٌ يَقُولُوا۟ قَدْ أَخَذْنَآ أَمْرَنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَيَتَوَلَّوا۟ وَّهُمْ فَرِحُونَ
If good befalls you, it distresses them; but if disaster strikes you, they say, "We took our matter [in hand] before," and turn away while they are rejoicing.
لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًا قَرِيبًا وَسَفَرًا قَاصِدًا لَّٱتَّبَعُوكَ وَلَـٰكِنۢ بَعُدَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلشُّقَّةُ ۚ وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَوِ ٱسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
Had it been a near [i.e., easy] gain and a moderate trip, they [i.e., the hypocrites] would have followed you, but distant to them was the journey. And they will swear by Allāh, "If we were able, we would have gone forth with you," destroying themselves [through false oaths], and Allāh knows that indeed they are liars.
لَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.
۞ إِنَّمَا ٱلسَّبِيلُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَـْٔذِنُونَكَ وَهُمْ أَغْنِيَآءُ ۚ رَضُوا۟ بِأَن يَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْخَوَالِفِ وَطَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
The cause [for blame] is only upon those who ask permission of you while they are rich. They are satisfied to be with those who stay behind, and Allāh has sealed over their hearts, so they do not know.