The hypocrites used to ally themselves with the Jews, who are those upon whom God's wrath descended, as stated in His saying: {He whom Allah has cursed and with whom He is angry}. They would convey the secrets of the believers to them: {They are not of you}—O Muslims—nor are they of the Jews. {And they swear to falsehood} (or lie). The intended meaning of this falsehood is either their claim to be Muslims, or that they used to insult Allah and His Messenger and plot against the Muslims. If they were told, "You did that," they would fear for themselves being killed, so they would swear, "We did not say that, nor did we do it." This is the lie upon which they swear.

Know that this verse indicates the corruption of Al-Jahiz's view, which holds that a report contrary to the reality is only a lie if the reporter knows the report to be contrary to reality. If the matter were as he suggested, then His saying, {and they know} would be a redundant, unqualified statement. It is narrated that 'Abdullah ibn Nabatl, a hypocrite, used to sit with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), then report the conversation to the Jews. While the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was in his chamber, he said: "A man will enter upon you looking with the eye of a devil (or with two devilish eyes)." Then a man with blue eyes entered. He said to the Prophet, "Why did you insult me?" So he began to swear, and then this verse was revealed: {And they swear to falsehood, and they know [it is false]}.