Tafsir of Al-Ahzab 33:12-13

Al-Ahzab (33): 12-13

And [remember] when the hypocrites said...

He [Al-Razi] explained the suspicions (الظنون): The hypocrites suspected that what Allah and His Messenger said was falsehood, and that their promise [of victory] was mere deception. They were certain that defeat was imminent.

And when a group of them said: "O people of Yathrib! There is no place for you [here]..."

This means: There is no justification for remaining with Muhammad. It is like saying, "There is no standing firm in humiliation and disgrace." Yathrib is the name of the place that is Al-Madinah.

"...so return [to your homes]."

Meaning: Return from [supporting] Muhammad, and align yourselves with the Confederates (Al-Ahzab) so that you may escape distress.

Then, those who listened resolved to retreat and asked his permission, offering the excuse: "Indeed, our houses are exposed (عورة)"—meaning they had flaws where the owner could not secure his belongings from a thief, nor his dependents from an enemy.

Then Allah exposed their lie by saying: "And they were not exposed," and He clarified their true intention, which was flight and the loss of stability due to fear.

{ If they were invaded from all its surroundings and they were asked to commit apostasy (الفتنة), they would have done so, and they would not have delayed in it except a little. }