Surah At-Tawbah (9): Verse 67

The Hypocrites (Men and Women) are alike...

Know that this is an explanation of another type of their disgraces and ugly deeds. The purpose is to clarify that their females are like their males in those reprehensible actions and malicious deeds.

He said: {The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are some of them of others} (9:67). This means they are alike in the characteristic of hypocrisy, just as a person says: "You are from me and I am from you," meaning our affair is one, with no divergence.

After mentioning this general statement, He detailed it: {They enjoin evil} (9:67). The term al-munkar (evil) encompasses every ugly thing, but the greatest evil here is the denial of the Messenger. {And they forbid what is right} (9:67). The term al-ma'ruf (right/good) encompasses every good thing, but the greatest good here is faith in the Messenger (peace be upon him).

{And they clench their hands} (9:67). It is said this means they withhold from all good. Or, it means they withhold from every obligatory good, such as Zakat (obligatory charity), voluntary charity, and spending in the cause of Allah. This latter interpretation is closer, because Allah only condemns them for abandoning what is obligatory. This includes refraining from spending in Jihad. This points to their lagging behind in Jihad. The basis for this expression is that a giver extends and opens his hand for giving. Thus, the one who withholds and is miserly is described as having clenched his hand.

Then He said: {They forgot Allah, so He forgot them} (9:67). Know that this statement cannot be taken literally. If we attribute true forgetfulness to them, they would not deserve condemnation for it, because forgetfulness is not within human capacity. Furthermore, it is impossible concerning Allah Almighty. Therefore, interpretation is necessary, and it has two aspects:

1. First: It means they abandoned Allah's command until His command became like something forgotten. Consequently, He recompensed them by making them like those forgotten from His reward and mercy. This usage aligns with the structure of speech, similar to His saying: {And the recompense of an evil deed is an evil deed like it} (Ash-Shura 42:40).
2. Second: Forgetfulness is the opposite of remembrance. Since they abandoned the remembrance of Allah through worship and praise, Allah abandoned the remembrance of them through mercy and favor. Making forgetfulness a metaphor for abandoning remembrance is appropriate because whoever forgets something does not remember it; thus, the name of the necessary consequence (forgetting) is used as a metaphor for the preceding cause (abandoning remembrance).

Then He said: {Indeed, the hypocrites are the defiantly disobedient (Fāsiqūn)} (9:67). This means they are the complete ones in disobedience. And Allah knows best.

Verse 68-69

{Allah has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the disbelievers the fire of Hell, wherein they will abide eternally. It is sufficient for them. And Allah has cursed them, and for them is an enduring punishment.} (9:68)

{Like those before you; they were greater than you in strength, and had more wealth and children. They enjoyed their portion, just as those before you enjoyed their portion, and you indulged in talk as they indulged. Those—their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the losers.} (9:69)