Tafsir of Al-Ahzab 33:12

(And when the hypocrites say...) This is a conjunction to [the previous] "When [your] eyes grew wild," and the use of the present tense verb is for the reason previously mentioned: to indicate the continuity of the speech and to summon its imagery [to the mind].

(And those in whose hearts is a disease) The apparent meaning of the conjunction is that they are a group who were not hypocrites. Thus, it is said: They are a group whom the hypocrites were trying to win over by casting doubts upon them. Others say: They are a group who were weak in faith due to their recent conversion to Islam. It is also permissible that the intended meaning is the hypocrites themselves, and the conjunction is used to denote the difference in qualities, similar to the poet’s saying: "To the king, the noble, and the son of the great leader."

(God and His Messenger promised us not except delusion) Meaning: a promise of delusion. It is said: i.e., a false statement. In Al-Bahr, it means: a matter that deceives us and casts us into something we have no power to endure. It is narrated that while the Companions were digging the Trench, a white, round, and extremely hard rock appeared to them, which the pickaxes could not penetrate. They complained to the Messenger of God (may God bless him and grant him peace), so he took the pickaxe from Salman (may God be pleased with him) and struck it once, breaking off a piece, and a flash of light emanated from it that illuminated everything between the two rocky plains of Medina, as if it were a lamp in the heart of a dark night. The Messenger of God (may God bless him and grant him peace) exclaimed "Allahu Akbar," and the Muslims did likewise. Then he struck it a second time, cracking it, and a flash of light emanated from it, illuminating everything between its two [rocky] plains. He (peace and blessings be upon him) exclaimed "Allahu Akbar," and the Muslims did likewise. Then he struck it a third time, shattering it, and a flash of light emanated from it, illuminating everything between its two [rocky] plains. He (may God bless him and grant him peace) exclaimed "Allahu Akbar," and the Muslims did likewise. When asked about this, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "In the first [strike], the palaces of Al-Hirah and the cities of Chosroes were illuminated for me as if they were the tusks of dogs, and Gabriel (peace be upon him) informed me that my nation would be victorious over them. In the second, the red palaces of the land of Rome were illuminated for me as if they were the tusks of dogs, and Gabriel (peace be upon him) informed me that my nation would be victorious over them. In the third, the palaces of Sana’a were illuminated for me as if they were the tusks of dogs, and Gabriel (peace be upon him) informed me that my nation would be victorious over them. So, rejoice in the victory." The Muslims rejoiced, but a man from the Ansar named Mu'attib ibn Qushayr—who was a hypocrite—said: "Does Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace) promise us that the cities of Yemen, the white cities, and the palaces of Rome will be conquered for us, while one of us cannot even go to satisfy his need without being killed? This, by God, is delusion." Thereupon, God Almighty revealed regarding this: (And when the hypocrites say...) etc.

In another narration, the hypocrites said when they heard that: "Are you not amazed? He talks to you, promises you, and holds out false hopes to you, claiming that he can see the palaces of Al-Hirah and the cities of Chosroes from Yathrib, and that they will be conquered for you while you are [currently] digging the trench and cannot [even] go out to relieve yourselves?" So God Almighty revealed His saying: (And when the hypocrites say...). The way to reconcile this, on the view that the speaker is one, is that the others were satisfied with what he said and accepted it from him. The apparent meaning is that the attribution of the promise to God Almighty and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) under the title of "Messenger" by the hypocrites—who do not believe in his (may God bless him and grant him peace) characterization as a Messenger, nor that the promise was indeed a promise from God—was by way of mocking or ridicule. If such speech originated from others [who were not hypocrites], it was by way of following them.

It is permissible that the occurrence of what was mentioned is [only] in the narration [of the story] and not in their own words. This is supported by what is found in some reports. Some have investigated the [hypocrites'] use of the term "Messenger" (may God bless him and grant him peace), saying that it is in the [Qur'anic] narration, not in their speech, as evidenced by what is narrated regarding Mu'attib; or perhaps it was dissimulation (taqiyyah) and not ridicule, because [ridicule] would not be valid for those who are not hypocrites. Reflect upon this and do not be heedless.