The Hypocrites (Al-Munafiqun): (4) And when you see them...

Know that His Exalted saying: {And when you see them} refers to 'Abdullāh ibn Ubayy, Mughīth ibn Qays, and Jadd ibn Qays. They possessed impressive physiques and appearances that would impress you with their beauty and comeliness. 'Abdullāh ibn Ubayy, in particular, was tall, handsome, and eloquent.

And when they speak: {and if they speak, you listen to their speech}. This means they might say, "Indeed, you are the Messenger of Allah," and you listen to their words. It is also recited as yusma'u (passive voice).

Then, Allah compares them to {propped-up pieces of wood} (al-khashab al-musnadah).

Regarding the word al-khashab (wood):

• It can be read with abbreviation (lightening) like badan (body) from badana, or asad (lion) from asada.
• It can also be read with full weight (doubling) like thamara (fruit) from thamar, or khashaba from khushub. This latter reading is attributed to Ibn 'Abbās, and the doubling is the dialect of the Hijāz.

Wood does not possess intellect or understanding, and similarly, the hypocrites, in their lack of comprehension and insight, are likened to wood.

As for {propped-up} (al-musnadah): It comes from sanada ilā shay’in (he leaned upon something), meaning he inclined towards it. Asnadahu ilā al-shay’ (he propped it up against something) means he inclined it. The doubling (in musannadah) is for emphasis.

The wood is described this way because it resembles standing trees that grow and bear fruit in some manner, yet they are inanimate.

Then, Allah attributes cowardice to them and criticizes them for it, saying: {They think every shout is against them}.

Muqātil said: If a caller cries out in the camp, or a beast runs loose, or someone calls for a lost item, they assume it is directed at them because of the terror in their hearts. This is because they are constantly fearful that Allah will expose their secrets and unveil their hidden intentions, expecting to be struck down at any moment.

Afterward, Allah informs His Messenger of their enmity: {They are the enemy, so beware of them}. Do not trust them with secrets, nor be deceived by their outward appearance, for they are the epitome of enmity compared to others.

And His Exalted saying: {May Allah fight them! How are they deluded!} This is an interpretation meaning it is a curse upon them (Page V30 P014) and a request that He curse and humiliate them, and a teaching for the believers to supplicate likewise. {How are they deluded?} means: How do they turn away from the truth? This expresses astonishment at their ignorance, misguidance, and their corrupt assumption that they are upon the truth.

And His Exalted saying: {And when it is said to them, "Come, let the Messenger of Allah ask forgiveness for you," they turn away their heads}.

Al-Kalbī said: When the Qur'an was revealed describing the hypocrites, their believing clansmen approached them and said, "Woe to you! You have been exposed by hypocrisy and destroyed yourselves. Come to the Messenger and repent to him for your hypocrisy and ask him to seek forgiveness for you." But they refused and showed disdain for seeking forgiveness, so this verse was revealed.

Ibn 'Abbās said: When 'Abdullāh ibn Ubayy returned from Uhud with many people, the Muslims shunned him, rebuked him, and spoke harshly to him. His relatives said to him, "If only you would go to the Messenger so he could seek forgiveness for you and be pleased with you." He replied, "I will not go to him, nor do I want him to seek forgiveness for me," and he began to turn his head away, whereupon this verse was revealed.

According to the majority, this invitation to seek forgiveness came because he had said: {The mightier will surely expel the meaner from it} (Al-Munafiqun: 8) and {Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah} (Al-Munafiqun: 7). So, he was told, "Come, let the Messenger of Allah seek forgiveness for you," and he responded by turning away. This is the meaning of His saying: {they turn away their heads}.

It is also recited with abbreviation (lawwū) and doubling (lawwaw) for emphasis, indicating the multitude of those turning away. A singular pronoun can sometimes refer to a group, which is common in Arabic poetry, such as the verse by Jarīr:

Although this specific verse addresses a woman.

And His saying: {And you see them turning away, being arrogant}, meaning turning away from the Messenger of Allah's seeking of forgiveness for them.

Allah mentioned that his seeking forgiveness would not benefit them: {Whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them}.

Qatādah said: This verse was revealed after the Prophet (PBUH) said, "My Lord gave me a choice, so I will increase the number [of times I ask forgiveness] beyond seventy." Then Allah revealed: {Allah will never forgive them. Indeed, Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people}.

Ibn 'Abbās said: This refers to the hypocrites. A group said that this verse clarifies that Allah possesses guidance beyond the guidance of explanation (i.e., clarification), which is the creation of the act of guidance in whomever He knows deserves it. Another view is that it means He will not guide them because of their disobedience (fisq). The Mu'tazila say that He will not label them as guided if they disobey and go astray.

There are several discussions concerning this verse:

We say this simile encompasses many benefits not found in other things:

1. As stated in Al-Kashshāf: They are likened to wood propped against a wall because they are mere physical forms devoid of faith and goodness. If wood is useful, it is used in a roof, a wall, or another place of utility. If left empty and unused, it is propped against a wall. They are likened to this in their uselessness. Alternatively, it might refer to wooden idols carved and propped against a wall, likened to them in their beautiful forms but lack of benefit.
2. Propped-up wood was originally a tender branch capable of being useful, but it becomes thick and dry. Similarly, the disbeliever and the hypocrite were originally fit for good deeds but then lost that fitness.
3. The disbelievers among mankind are fuel, as Allah says: {You and what you worship besides Allah are fuel for Hell} (Al-Anbiyā’: 98). Propped-up wood is also fuel.
4. Propped-up wood has one end pointing in one direction and the other end in another. Hypocrites are similar: one side (their inner self) leans towards the disbelievers, and the other side (their outward appearance) leans towards the Muslims.
5. What propped-up wood leans upon are inanimate objects or plants. What the hypocrites rely upon is also of this nature, especially if they are polytheists, as their idols are made of stone or plants.

We reply: It is not necessary for the object being compared (the hypocrites) and the object of comparison (the wood) to share all attributes. They are like propped-up wood concerning utility and uselessness, but they are not like propped-up wood concerning hearing shouts or other sounds.

We reply: Every one of those groups falls under the category of {the defiantly disobedient people} (al-fāsiqīn), meaning those previously mentioned: the disbelievers, the hypocrites, and the arrogant ones.

{They are the ones who say, "Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they disperse."}

{But to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, yet the hypocrites do not comprehend.}

{They say, "If we return to Medina, the mightier will surely expel the meaner from it."}

{But to Allah belongs the might, to His Messenger, and to the believers, yet the hypocrites do not know."}