Tafsir of At-Tawbah 9:101

{And among those around you} Meaning: around your town, which is Medina.

{are hypocrites} They are the tribes of Juhaynah, Aslam, Ashja‘, and Ghifar, who were settled around it.

{and among the people of Medina} This is a conjunction linked to the predicate of the subject (which is "among those around you"). It is also permissible for it to be a sentence conjoined to the subject and predicate if you assume the meaning: "And among the people of Medina are a people who have persisted in hypocrisy." This is based on the assumption that {persisted} is an adjective for a deleted noun, like the poet’s saying: "I am the son of Jala..."

Regarding the first interpretation, it must either be a new, independent statement or an adjective for "hypocrites," separated from it by a conjunction linked to its predicate.

{persisted in hypocrisy} They have become skilled in it. It is derived from "someone became accustomed to his work," and "he persisted in it," meaning he became trained in it and accustomed to it, until it became easy for him and he mastered it.

{you do not know them} Meaning: They are hidden from you, despite your intelligence, your sharpness, and the truth of your intuition, due to their extreme caution in avoiding anything that would cast doubt upon their state.

{We know them} Meaning: No one knows them except Allah, and no one is privy to their secrets but Him, because they conceal disbelief in the depths of their hearts, while presenting to you an outward appearance like that of the sincere believers, such that you would not doubt their faith. This is because they have persisted in hypocrisy and become accustomed to it, and thus they have the upper hand in it.

{We will punish them twice} It is said: These are killing and the punishment of the grave. It is also said: Public disgrace and the punishment of the grave.

Regarding Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), he mentioned that there is a difference of opinion regarding these two times. He said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood up to deliver a sermon on Friday and said: "Get out, O so-and-so, for you are a hypocrite; get out, O so-and-so, for you are a hypocrite." He expelled some people and disgraced them; this is the first punishment, and the second is the punishment of the grave.

Al-Hasan said: It is the taking of Zakat from their wealth and the exhaustion of their bodies.

{then they will be returned to a great punishment} Meaning: To the punishment of the Fire.

{And others have confessed their sins; they had mixed a righteous deed with another that was bad. Perhaps Allah will turn to them in forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.}