Surah Muhammad 47:21
ﱟ ﱠ ﱡ ﱢ ﱣ ﱤ ﱥ ﱦ ﱧ ﱨ ﱩ ﱪ ﱫ
Obedience and good words. And when the matter [of fighting] was determined, if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.
Tafsir of Muhammad 47:21
Tafsir
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Verse range: 47:21
طاعة وقول معروف
But it was better for them, obedience and good words. which means that it would have been better for them to listen and obey in that present situation.
فٳذا عزم اﻻإمر
When the matter (of fighting) is resolved. which means when the situation becomes serious and the time of fighting truly arrives.
فلو صدقوا الله
if they had been true to Allah, meaning, by making their intentions sincerely for Him.
لكان خيرا لهم
it would have been better for them. Allah then says,