The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 2) — Page 226
CH. 4 AN-NISA' PT. 5 أو لَيْكَ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُ اللهُ مَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ These are they, the secrets. 64 of whose hearts Allah knows فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَعِظْهُمْ وَقُل لَّهُمْ فِي well. So turn away from them أَنْفُسِهِمْ قَوْلًا بَلِيْخًا and admonish them and speak to them an effective word concerning their own selves. 536 Commentary: This verse may also be taken as generally applying to the case of hypocrites generally. An incident, however, is related in traditions in connection with this verse which, though not reliable, may be mentioned here. There was some dispute between a Jew and one who hypocritically professed to be a Muslim. The latter, thinking that the Holy Prophet would decide the case in his favour, proposed to the Jew that they should go to him for decision. The Holy Prophet, however, contrary to the expectation of the hypocrite, decided the case in favour of the Jew who happened to be in the right. Being disappointed there, the hypocrite proposed to the Jew that they should go to Abū Bakr, hoping that though the Holy Prophet had shown him no favour, Abu Bakr at least would favour him. But Abū Bakr also decided in favour of the Jew. Being disappointed a second time, the hypocrite thought that 'Umar, who was a jealous Muslim, would never decide in favour of a Jew. So he proposed to his rival that they should go to ‘Umar for decision. But 'Umar, says the tradition, on learning from the Jew that the case 666 had already been decided in his favour by the Holy Prophet, cut off the head of the hypocrite, because he professed Islam and yet would not accept the Prophet's verdict. Thereupon the hypocrites gathered together and went to the Holy Prophet and told him that in going to 'Umar the object was only to bring about a compromise and reconciliation (Muḥit, iii. 279). The words, We meant nothing but the doing of good and reconciliation, reported to have been uttered by the hypocrites, show that there was an intrigue. The incident, however, is highly improbable and lacks proper authority. 536. Commentary: In the words, speak to them an effective word, the Prophet is enjoined to deal kindly with hypocrites. The injunction is to the effect that God knows that the hearts of hypocrites are afflicted with the disease of hypocrisy but He gives them respite that they may repent and mend their ways. The Prophet was also to treat them leniently and not punish them for their secret doings