Tafsir of At-Tawbah 9:126

Surah At-Tawbah (9): 126

Or do they not see...

Know that when Allah Almighty mentioned that those in whose hearts is a disease will die while disbelieving—which indicates the punishment of the Hereafter—He then mentioned that they are not spared from the punishment of this world even once or twice a year. In this verse, there are several issues:

Hamzah read it as {أَوَلَا تَرَوْنَ} (Awā lā tarawna) with the second-person masculine plural form (addressing the believers, using the letter tā'). The rest of the reciters read it as {أَوَلَا يَرَوْنَ} (Awā lā yarawna) using the third-person masculine plural form (referring to the hypocrites).

• If read as addressing the believers (Tarawna): The meaning is that the believers are being alerted to the hypocrites' turning away from reflection and contemplation.
• If read as referring to the hypocrites (Yarawna): The meaning is a reprimand to the hypocrites for turning away from taking heed of the events occurring concerning them that necessitate reflection.

Al-Wahidi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated that the phrase {أَوَلَا يَرَوْنَ} (Or do they not see) involves the interrogative particle Alif prefixed to the conjunction Wāw (and). Thus, it is connected to the preceding mention of the hypocrites, serving as a form of admonition through questioning.

Sibawayh, citing Al-Khalil, explained the structure in a similar verse, “Have you not seen that Allah sent down water from the sky?” The meaning is: Allah sent down water from the sky, and the result was such and such.

They mentioned several interpretations regarding this trial (fitnah):

1. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: They are tested with illness once or twice every year. Yet, they do not repent from their hypocrisy nor are they admonished by this illness, unlike the believer who, when sick, remembers his sins and his standing before Allah. This increases the believer's faith and fear of Allah, becoming a means for him to deserve greater mercy and pleasure from Allah.
2. Mujahid said: They are tried (yuftanūna) through drought and famine.
3. Qatadah said: They are tried through military expeditions and Jihad. When Allah commands them to go out for Jihad and they hold back, they fall under the tongues of people with curses, disgrace, and ugly mention. If they go out while being disbelievers, they expose themselves to being killed and their wealth to plunder, all without benefit.
4. Muqatil said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) exposes their hypocrisy and disbelief. It is said that they used to gather to slander the Prophet, so Jibril (Gabriel) would descend to him, informing him of what they said. The Prophet would then mention that incident to them, rebuking and admonishing them, but they would not be admonished or deterred.

• Context: When a new revelation (Sūrah) is sent down, some of the hypocrites look around at one another, secretly asking, "Is anyone watching us [listening to this revelation]?"
• Consequence: Then they turn away (from the Prophet and the revelation).
• Divine Retribution: May Allah turn their hearts away (from guidance), because they are a people who do not comprehend (the truth).