Al-Munafiqun (The Hypocrites): Verses 2-3

Verse 2: {They have taken their oaths as a screen (or shield)...}

This means they have taken their oaths as a Junnatan (screen/shield) behind which they hide from what they feared for themselves, namely, being killed.

In Al-Kashshaf, it is stated that {They have taken their oaths as a screen} could mean that their statement, {We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah}, is one of their false oaths. This is because testimony (Shahādah) functions like an oath (H̱alf) in terms of emphasis. A person might say, "I testify, and I swear by Allah," or "I am determined, and I swear by Allah," in a context where one would normally say, "I swear (Uqsim)." This interpretation is used by Abu Hanifa as evidence that saying "I testify" (Ashhadu) constitutes an oath.

Alternatively, it could be a description of the hypocrites' contempt for oaths. If one asks why they said, "We testify," and not, "We testify by Allah," as the believers do, some answer that although the meaning is equivalent to an oath, which in common usage involves Allah, the text reports their statement as "We testify" to convey the meaning of their oath.

Verse 2 (Continued): {...and they have barred [people] from the way of Allah...}

This means they turned themselves away from obedience to Allah the Exalted, and obedience to His Messenger. Another interpretation is that they actively barred (ṣaddū), meaning they diverted and prevented the weak from following the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

Verse 2 (Continued): {...Evil is that which they used to do.}

This means, "How evil is what they were doing," as they preferred disbelief over faith and displayed the opposite of what they concealed internally, merely to blend in with the Muslims.

Verse 3: {That is because they believed, then disbelieved...}

The word {That} (Dhālika) refers back to the statement: {Evil is that which they used to do}.

Muqatil said: That evil is due to their outward profession of faith, followed by their secret disbelief. This reinforces the statement: {And Allah bears witness that they are surely liars}.

Verse 3 (Continued): {...so their hearts have been sealed, and so they do not understand.}

They do not reflect, nor do they draw conclusions from the apparent signs. Ibn Abbas said: Their hearts have been stamped shut. Muqatil said: Their hearts have been sealed with disbelief, so they do not comprehend the Qur'an, nor do they believe in the truthfulness of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Another view is that they thought they were upon the truth, so Allah informed them that they do not understand that their hearts have been sealed.

Within this verse, there are several points of discussion:

First Point: Allah mentioned the actions of the disbelievers previously but did not say, "Evil is that which they used to do" concerning them. Why is it mentioned here? Answer: Because their actions here are coupled with the false oaths they took as a Junnatan (screen), meaning a cover for their wealth and blood, preventing the Muslims from seizing them, as previously mentioned.

Second Point: The hypocrites were always in a state of established, perpetual disbelief. So, what is the meaning of Allah saying: {They believed, then disbelieved} (using thumma which implies a sequence)? Answer: Al-Kashshaf mentions three interpretations:

1. {They believed}: They uttered the testimony of faith and acted as one entering Islam. {Then disbelieved}: Then their disbelief became apparent afterward.
2. {They believed}: They professed faith in the presence of the believers. {Then disbelieved}: They professed disbelief in the presence of their devils (i.e., their evil associates), mocking Islam, similar to His saying: {And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe,"} [2:14].
3. It refers to those among them who were Ahl al-Dhimma (People of the Covenant/Protected Status).

Third Point: Sealing the hearts (Ṭabʿ) can only be done by Allah the Exalted. If Allah seals their hearts, they cannot reflect or draw evidence from signs. If this were the case, it would be an argument for them against Allah, as they could say: "Our turning away from the truth is due to our heedlessness, and our heedlessness is because Allah sealed our hearts." Answer: We respond that this sealing by Allah is a consequence of their evil deeds and their intention to turn away from the truth. It is as if Allah left them to their ignorant selves and their false desires.

Then Allah the Exalted said:

Verse 4-6: {And when you see their bodies, you admire them, and when they speak, you listen to their speech. [But] they are like propped-up pieces of timber. They think every cry is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah fight them! How are they deluded! And when it is said to them, "Come, [let] the Messenger of Allah ask forgiveness for you," they turn their heads away and you see them turning away in arrogance. It is all the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; never will Allah give them forgiveness. Indeed, Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.}