فَتَرَى ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِيهِمْ يَقُولُونَ نَخْشَىٰٓ أَن تُصِيبَنَا دَآئِرَةٌ ۚ فَعَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِٱلْفَتْحِ أَوْ أَمْرٍ مِّنْ عِندِهِۦ فَيُصْبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَسَرُّوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ نَـٰدِمِينَ 52
Translations
So you see those in whose hearts is disease [i.e., hypocrisy] hastening into [association with] them, saying, "We are afraid a misfortune may strike us." But perhaps Allāh will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful.
Transliteration
Fataral-ladhīna fī qulūbihim maraḍun yusāri'ūna fīhim yaqūlūna nakhshā an tuṣībana dā'iratun fa'asāl-lāhu an ya'tiya bil-fatḥi aw amrin min 'indih fayuṣbihū 'alā mā asarrū fī anfusihim nādimīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the hypocrites (munāfiqūn) who possess spiritual sickness in their hearts and eagerly rush to befriend the enemies of Islam out of fear of defeat. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, their concern ('We fear a reversal of fortune') reveals their lack of faith in Allah's protection. The ayah provides consolation to the believers by affirming that Allah may grant victory or bring a matter of His own decree, after which these hypocrites will regret their hidden intentions and treachery when the truth becomes manifest.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Jewish tribes of Medina and their alliances, as well as hypocrites within the Muslim community who wavered in their faith during times of hardship. Surah Al-Ma'idah addresses the conduct of People of the Book and the behavior of those with weak faith, particularly regarding covenant-breaking and shifting loyalties based on worldly calculations rather than divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The sign of a hypocrite is three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays.' (Sahih Bukhari 33). Additionally, the Quran mentions in 9:65-66 a hadith about hypocrites making excuses for their statements, demonstrating their characteristic pattern of concealment and denial.
Themes
Key Lesson
Believers should never compromise their principles or betray their faith out of fear of worldly consequences, as true security comes only from Allah's protection and promise. The ayah reminds us that hidden intentions will eventually be exposed, and those who scheme against the truth will ultimately face regret when Allah's plan unfolds.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبْتَغُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ وَجَـٰهِدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have believed, fear Allāh and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed.
قَالَ رَجُلَانِ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ٱدْخُلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْبَابَ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَـٰلِبُونَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Said two men from those who feared [to disobey] upon whom Allāh had bestowed favor, "Enter upon them through the gate, for when you have entered it, you will be predominant. And upon Allāh rely, if you should be believers."
ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Know that Allāh is severe in penalty and that Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.
وَكَيْفَ يُحَكِّمُونَكَ وَعِندَهُمُ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةُ فِيهَا حُكْمُ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
But how is it that they come to you for judgement while they have the Torah, in which is the judgement of Allāh? Then they turn away, [even] after that; but those are not [in fact] believers.