The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5)

The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 260

CHAPTER 63 AL-MUNAFIQŪN (Revealed after Hijrah) Title, Date of Revelation, and Context The Surah takes its name from the opening verse. It is a Medinite Surah, having been revealed, as its subject matter shows, sometime after the Battle of Uhud which exposed the hypocrites. Whereas the previous Surah had specifically dealt with the Jews of Medina, this Sūrah deals with other enemies of Islam—the hypocrites. At the very outset the Surah exposes the infidelity and dishonesty of the hypocrites and condemns their loud profession of faith as false and treacherous. They are, says the Surah, the real enemies of Islam, as they try to deceive Muslims by their oaths and by their false profession of faith using them as a screen for that purpose. The Surah further says that by their evil designs and nefarious activities the hypocrites have condemned themselves beyond redemption. They have gone so far in mischief that God will not forgive them. They mistakenly think that, perhaps, like themselves, the Companions of the Holy Prophet are a band of self-seekers who will leave their Leader the moment their material interests so demanded. The Surah closes with the exhortation to Muslims that instead of seeking to get any material benefit from the Holy Prophet, as the hypocrites foolishly think, they should spend their wealth in the cause of God, before the time comes when Islam will no longer stand in need of the wealth of its followers. 3156