وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَوْلَا نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ ۖ فَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا ٱلْقِتَالُ ۙ رَأَيْتَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ نَظَرَ ٱلْمَغْشِىِّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ فَأَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ 20
Translations
Those who believe say, "Why has a sūrah not been sent down?" But when a precise sūrah is revealed and battle is mentioned therein, you see those in whose hearts is disease [i.e., hypocrisy] looking at you with a look of one overcome by death. And more appropriate for them [would have been]
Transliteration
Wa yaqūlu alladhīna āmanū law lā nuzzilat sūratun, fa-idhā unzilat sūratun muhkamatun wa dhukira fīhā al-qitāl, ra-ayta alladhīna fī qulūbihim maraḍun yanẓurūna ilayka naẓara al-maghshiyyi alayhi min al-mawt, fa-awlā lahum
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the hypocrisy of those with diseased hearts who initially call for revelation of Quranic chapters, but when surahs containing clear rulings about jihad and fighting in Allah's cause are revealed, they hesitate and look toward the Prophet with the expression of someone fainting from death. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the 'disease in their hearts' refers to hypocrisy and weakness of faith, and their fearful gaze reveals their true spiritual condition. The ayah concludes with a warning (fa-awlā lahum) indicating a dire fate awaits those who reject clear divine guidance out of cowardice.
Revelation Context
Surah Muhammad was revealed in Medina during the period of military campaigns and defensive battles. This ayah addresses the hypocrites (munāfiqūn) of Medina who would publicly request Quranic revelations but privately rejected commands related to fighting in defense of Islam, exposing their lack of sincere faith and courage.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3610): The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'A hypocrite is known by three signs: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks his promise; and when he is trusted, he betrays.' This hadith characterizes the hypocrisy mentioned in this ayah. Additionally, the Quranic context parallels teachings about jihad in Surah At-Tawbah (9:81-82) regarding those who lag behind in military expeditions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true belief is measured not by empty words or requests for divine guidance, but by willingness to obey Allah's commands even when they demand sacrifice and courage. Believers should examine their hearts—do we genuinely accept what Allah reveals, or do we selectively accept only what is comfortable, thereby revealing disease in our hearts?