Surah At-Tawbah (The Repentance): (73) O Prophet...

And know that We mentioned previously how the Almighty described the hypocrites with vile characteristics and threatened them with various punishments. Since the custom of God Almighty in this Noble Book has been to mention the promise alongside the warning, it is only right that He immediately followed this by describing the believers with noble, pure, and good characteristics, promising them lofty rewards and high ranks.

Then, He returned once again to explain the state of the disbelievers and hypocrites in this verse, saying: {O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites} (9:73).

There is a question regarding this verse: the verse indicates the obligation to strive against the hypocrites, which is not permissible, as the hypocrite is one who conceals his disbelief and denies it with his tongue. When this is the case, fighting and striving against him is not permissible.

Know that people have mentioned several opinions concerning this difficulty.

The First Opinion: That the striving (Jihad) is against the disbelievers, and harsh speech is directed towards the hypocrites. This is the view of Al-Dahhak. This is distant, because the apparent meaning of {strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites} implies an order to strive against both groups, and similarly, the apparent meaning of {and be harsh with them} refers to both parties.

The Second Opinion: That when the Almighty clarified to the Messenger (peace be upon him) that he should judge based on outward appearances, the Prophet (PBUH) said, "We judge by what is apparent." The people were outwardly showing Islam while denying disbelief, so fighting them was not permissible.

The Third Opinion, which is the correct one: That Jihad (striving) means exerting effort. The wording itself does not indicate that this striving must be by the sword, or by the tongue, or by another method. We say that the verse indicates the obligation of striving against both groups. As for the how of that striving, the wording of the verse does not indicate it; rather, it is known from other evidence.

If this is established, we say: Separate evidence indicates that striving against the disbelievers must be by the sword, and against the hypocrites by establishing the proof sometimes, by abandoning gentleness at other times, and by reprimanding at a third time. Abdullah said regarding the verse {strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites}: "Sometimes by the hand, sometimes by the tongue. Whoever cannot do so, let him frown in his face. Whoever cannot do so, let him do it in his heart."

Al-Hasan interpreted the striving against the hypocrites as establishing the prescribed legal punishments (Hudud) upon them if they committed acts warranting them. Al-Qadi said: This is nothing, because establishing the Hadd is obligatory upon anyone who is not a hypocrite, so this has no connection specifically to hypocrisy. Then he said: Al-Hasan said this for one of two reasons: either because every sinner is a hypocrite, or because the majority of those upon whom the Hadd was established during the time of the Prophet (PBUH) were hypocrites.