أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ نُهُوا۟ عَنِ ٱلنَّجْوَىٰ ثُمَّ يَعُودُونَ لِمَا نُهُوا۟ عَنْهُ وَيَتَنَـٰجَوْنَ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ وَمَعْصِيَتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَإِذَا جَآءُوكَ حَيَّوْكَ بِمَا لَمْ يُحَيِّكَ بِهِ ٱللَّهُ وَيَقُولُونَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَوْلَا يُعَذِّبُنَا ٱللَّهُ بِمَا نَقُولُ ۚ حَسْبُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ يَصْلَوْنَهَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ 8
Translations
Have you not considered those who were forbidden from private conversation [i.e., ridicule and conspiracy] and then return to that which they were forbidden and converse among themselves about sin and aggression and disobedience to the Messenger? And when they come to you, they greet you with that [word] by which Allāh does not greet you and say among themselves, "Why does Allāh not punish us for what we say?" Sufficient for them is Hell, which they will [enter to] burn, and wretched is the destination.
Transliteration
Alam tara ilal-ladhina nuhū 'an-in-najwā thumma ya'ūdūn limā nuhū 'anhu wa-yatanājawna bil-ithm wa-l-'udwān wa-ma'siyat ar-rasūl wa-idhā jā'ūka hayyawka bimā lam yuhhayyika bihi Allāh wa-yaqūlūn fī anfusihim law-lā yu'adhdhibunā Allāh bimā naqūl hasbu hum jahannam yaslawnahā fa-bi'sa al-masīr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This verse rebukes the hypocrites (munāfiqūn) who were forbidden from secretly conspiring against the believers and the Prophet (ﷺ), yet they continued doing so, whispering about sin, transgression, and disobedience to the Messenger. When they greeted the Prophet, they used a greeting different from the Islamic greeting (reportedly saying 'al-sām alaikum' instead of 'as-salāmu alaikum'), while secretly wondering why Allah did not punish them for their words. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, the verse indicates their hypocrisy and that Hellfire is their deserved destination.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina concerning hypocrites from the Jewish tribes and Arab munāfiqūn who opposed the Prophet (ﷺ). The specific context relates to their clandestine plotting and their attempts to disguise their hostility through ambiguous greetings while harboring enmity in their hearts. The surah addresses the broader issue of secret conspiracies and false oaths (yamīn al-ghamus) that violated Islamic principles.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari 6062: 'Abdullāh ibn 'Abbās reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding this verse and the hypocrites' greeting. Also relevant: Sahih Muslim 537, where the Prophet taught the proper Islamic greeting (as-salāmu alaikum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh), contrasting with the distorted greeting mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This verse warns against harboring enmity in one's heart while pretending outward compliance and respect; true faith requires sincere hearts aligned with one's actions and words. Believers should be cautious of those who appear friendly yet conspire secretly, and recognize that Allah is fully aware of hidden intentions—ultimately, persistent hypocrisy and disobedience lead to severe divine punishment.
Related Ayahs
كَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَغْلِبَنَّ أَنَا۠ وَرُسُلِىٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ
Allāh has written [i.e., decreed], "I will surely overcome, I and My messengers." Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا ۖ إِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Allāh has prepared for them a severe punishment. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing.
۞ أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوْا۟ قَوْمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مَّا هُم مِّنكُمْ وَلَا مِنْهُمْ وَيَحْلِفُونَ عَلَى ٱلْكَذِبِ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
Have you not considered those who make allies of a people with whom Allāh has become angry? They are neither of you nor of them, and they swear to untruth while they know [they are lying].
فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَتَمَآسَّا ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَإِطْعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۚ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَلِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allāh and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allāh. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.