Sūrah Al-Munāfiqūn The Hypocrites: Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr The Complete Qurʾān Commentary

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DetailInformationClassificationSignificance

SurahالمنافقونAl-Munāfiqūn The HypocritesExposes the leader of hypocrites, ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy

TypeMadanī11 versesJuzʾ 28

ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy"The honourable will expel the humiliated" (63:8)He said this about the MuhājirūnIbn Kathīr: his son came to the Prophet for permission to punish his own father

Spend before deathDo not delay charity until death approaches (63:10)The dying man's regret: if only I could give moreIbn Kathīr: death closes the door of deeds forever

Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr

ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy the head of hypocrites (63:7–8): After the Expedition of Banū al-Muṣṭaliq, a dispute broke out. ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy said: "When we return to Madīnah, the most honoured will expel the most humiliated from it" meaning himself and the hypocrites would expel the Prophet ﷺ and the Muhājirūn. His own son, ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbdillāh, came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: "If you have decided his death command me and I will bring you his head. But if you spare him be merciful to him." The Prophet ﷺ chose forgiveness. Ibn Kathīr: mercy toward the hypocrite that modelled divine mercy itself.

Oaths as a shield (63:2): "They have taken their oaths as a cover, so they averted people from the way of Allah. Indeed, evil is what they used to do." Ibn Kathīr: the hypocrite weaponises the oath he swears by Allah to gain trust, then uses that trust to undermine the community. The most dangerous enemy is the insider who pretends loyalty.

وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ Wa lillāhi l-ʿizzatu wa li-rasūlihī wa li-l-muʾminīna wa lākinna l-munāfiqīna lā yaʿlamūn And to Allah belongs honour, and to His Messenger, and to the believers but the hypocrites do not know. (63:8) The response to ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy's claim that the honoured will expel the humiliated: true honour is with Allah.

وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ Wa anfiqū mimmā razaqnākum min qabli an yaʾtiya aḥadakumu l-mawtu fa-yaqūla rabbi lawlā akhkhartanī ilā ajalin qarībin fa-aṣṣaddaqa Spend from what We have provided you before death comes to one of you and he says: My Lord if only You would delay me a little time so I could give charity... (63:10)

Sealed hearts (63:3): "That is because they believed, then disbelieved so their hearts were sealed and they do not understand." Ibn Kathīr: the sequence initial faith, then deliberate rejection leads to sealing. The heart that chooses to disbelieve loses the capacity for further reflection.
Their bodies deceive (63:4): "When you see them, their bodies please you and when they speak, you listen to their speech. They are as if they were pieces of wood propped up." Ibn Kathīr: the hypocrite is described as a dressed log impressive exterior, hollow inside. Their eloquence is mistaken for wisdom.
Do not be distracted by children (63:9): "O you who believe let not your wealth or your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that then those are the losers." Ibn Kathīr: the greatest distractions from dhikr Allah are the two things most beloved to humans family and wealth. The believer loves them but does not let them override obedience.
No delay after the appointed term (63:11): "Allah will never delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do." Ibn Kathīr: the dying man's regret to give more charity is useless once the time comes, no extension is possible. Act now, before the opportunity closes.
The command of Allah will not be delayed (63:10 implication): Ibn Kathīr notes the urgency embedded in this verse do not procrastinate acts of worship and charity. Death is not announced in advance; the believer who says "I will give tomorrow" may not have a tomorrow.

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Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr

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