۞ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُوا۟ يَقُولُونَ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ لَئِنْ أُخْرِجْتُمْ لَنَخْرُجَنَّ مَعَكُمْ وَلَا نُطِيعُ فِيكُمْ أَحَدًا أَبَدًا وَإِن قُوتِلْتُمْ لَنَنصُرَنَّكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ 11
Translations
Have you not considered those who practice hypocrisy, saying to their brothers [i.e., associates] who have disbelieved among the People of the Scripture, "If you are expelled, we will surely leave with you, and we will not obey, in regard to you, anyone - ever; and if you are fought, we will surely aid you." But Allāh testifies that they are liars.
Transliteration
Alam tara ilal-ladhina nafaqu yaqulun li-ikhwanihim alladhina kafaru min ahli al-kitabi la-in ukhrijitum lakhrujan ma'akum wa la nutui'u fikum ahadan abada wa-in qutilutum lanansurannakum wallahu yashhadu innahum lakadhibun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the hypocrisy of the munafiqun (hypocrites) of Madinah who falsely promised the disbelieving Jews of Banu Nadir that if they were expelled from the city, the hypocrites would leave with them, and if they were fought, the hypocrites would aid them. Allah explicitly declares these promises to be lies, exposing the treachery and unreliability of the hypocrites. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this verse demonstrates how the hypocrites sought to maintain relationships with both the believers and the disbelievers, revealing their fundamental weakness and false allegiances.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during the siege and expulsion of Banu Nadir (5 AH/626 CE), a Jewish tribe that broke their covenant with the Muslims. The hypocrites of Madinah, led by figures like Abdullah ibn Ubayy, made false oaths of support to the Jews to appear loyal to both sides, but ultimately abandoned them. The surah Al-Hashr (The Exile) is named after this event and extensively discusses the treachery of both the Jews and the hypocrites.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari narrates that when Banu Nadir was besieged, the hypocrites promised support but failed to deliver, fulfilling this verse. Additionally, the hadith in Jami' at-Tirmidhi about the characteristics of hypocrites relates to this theme: 'When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; when he is trusted, he betrays the trust.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah is the ultimate witness to all actions and intentions; deception and false promises cannot remain hidden from Him. For modern Muslims, it serves as a warning against compromising faith for worldly gain or maintaining insincere relationships with those hostile to Islam, emphasizing that true loyalty must be to Allah and His deen alone.