وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَإِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ رَأَيْتَ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنكَ صُدُودًا 61
Translations
And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allāh has revealed and to the Messenger," you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion.
Transliteration
Wa-idha qeela lahum ta'alaw ila ma anzala Allahu wa-ila ar-rasul ra-ayta al-munafiqeena yasuddun 'anka sududan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the characteristic behavior of the hypocrites (munafiqun) when invited to submit to Allah's revelation and follow the Messenger—they turn away with obvious aversion and resistance. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this aversion is not due to genuine doubt but stems from their concealed disbelief and obstinate hearts that reject divine guidance despite outward claims of faith. The phrase 'yasuddun 'anka sududan' (they turn away from you with turning away) emphasizes the deliberateness and intensity of their rejection.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nisa's broader discussion of the hypocrites during the Medinan period, particularly addressing those who professed Islam outwardly while harboring doubt and malice toward the Prophet and the faith. The context reflects the community's challenge with infiltrators who would refuse to commit to Islamic law and the Prophet's leadership when called upon to do so.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The sign of a hypocrite is three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays.' (Sahih Bukhari 33). This directly relates to the hypocrites' turning away when commanded toward Allah's revelation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to recognize that rejection of divine guidance often stems not from intellectual doubt but from spiritual disease—a hardened heart. Modern Muslims should reflect on their own sincerity when responding to Islamic teachings and ensure they do not embody even subtle traces of selective obedience to Allah and His Messenger.
Related Ayahs
لَوْ خَرَجُوا۟ فِيكُم مَّا زَادُوكُمْ إِلَّا خَبَالًا وَلَأَوْضَعُوا۟ خِلَـٰلَكُمْ يَبْغُونَكُمُ ٱلْفِتْنَةَ وَفِيكُمْ سَمَّـٰعُونَ لَهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
Had they gone forth with you, they would not have increased you except in confusion, and they would have been active among you, seeking [to cause] you fitnah [i.e., chaos and dissension]. And among you are avid listeners to them. And Allāh is Knowing of the wrongdoers.
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَئِن جَآءَ نَصْرٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْ ۚ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allāh," but when one [of them] is harmed for [the cause of] Allāh, he considers the trial [i.e., harm] of the people as [if it were] the punishment of Allāh. But if victory comes from your Lord, they say, "Indeed, We were with you." Is not Allāh most knowing of what is within the breasts of the worlds [i.e., all creatures]?
إِذَا جَآءَكَ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ قَالُوا۟ نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
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.
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers."