إِذَا جَآءَكَ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ قَالُوا۟ نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ 1
Translations
When the hypocrites come to you, [O Muḥammad], they say, "We testify that you are the Messenger of Allāh." And Allāh knows that you are His Messenger, and Allāh testifies that the hypocrites are liars.
Transliteration
Idha ja'aka al-munafiqun qalu nashadu innaka la-rasulu Allah. wa-Allah ya'lamu innaka la-rasuluhu wa-Allah yashhadu inna al-munafiqin la-kathibun.
Tafsir (Explanation)
When the hypocrites came to the Prophet (ﷺ), they outwardly testified that he was the Messenger of Allah, yet Allah declares that He knows the truth of his prophethood while simultaneously bearing witness that these hypocrites are liars in their hearts. Ibn Kathir explains that this verse exposes the contradiction between the hypocrites' outward profession and their concealed disbelief, emphasizing that Allah's knowledge of hidden intentions supersedes all false oaths and testimonies. Al-Qurtubi notes that Allah's witness against them serves as divine confirmation of their hypocrisy despite their verbal claims.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Madinah and addresses the reality of hypocrites (munafiqun) who professed Islam verbally while harboring disbelief in their hearts. This opening ayah sets the tone for the entire surah by immediately confronting the contradiction of hypocritical behavior—they claim faith while their deeds and intentions betray them. The specific historical context involves hypocrites during the Prophet's time in Madinah who would affirm his message publicly but work against the Muslim community privately.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays.' (Sahih Bukhari 33) This hadith directly illustrates the reality described in 63:1—the hypocrites' false testimony and hidden dishonesty.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that Allah knows what lies concealed in human hearts, and no false oath or deceptive word can escape His knowledge; therefore, believers should cultivate sincerity in both public and private conduct, knowing that true faith requires alignment between outer actions and inner conviction.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ
And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers."
وَيَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ إِنَّهُمْ لَمِنكُمْ وَمَا هُم مِّنكُمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ يَفْرَقُونَ
And they swear by Allāh that they are from among you while they are not from among you; but they are a people who are afraid.
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ ٱئْذَن لِّى وَلَا تَفْتِنِّىٓ ۚ أَلَا فِى ٱلْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا۟ ۗ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌۢ بِٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
And among them is he who says, "Permit me [to remain at home] and do not put me to trial." Unquestionably, into trial they have fallen. And indeed, Hell will encompass the disbelievers.
بَشِّرِ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment -