فَكَيْفَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ جَآءُوكَ يَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَآ إِلَّآ إِحْسَـٰنًا وَتَوْفِيقًا 62
Translations
So how [will it be] when disaster strikes them because of what their hands have put forth and then they come to you swearing by Allāh, "We intended nothing but good conduct and accommodation."
Transliteration
Fakayfa idha asabathum musibatun bima qaddamat aydihim thumma jauka yahlifuna billahi in aradna illa ihsanan wa tawfiqan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the hypocrites (munafiqun) who, when afflicted with calamity as a consequence of their own actions, come to the Prophet swearing by Allah that their intentions were only good and to reconcile matters. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this verse exposes the hypocrisy of those who cause harm while feigning righteousness—their oaths ring hollow because Allah knows the truth of their hearts and intentions. The ayah serves as a rhetorical question emphasizing how their false claims of goodness stand in stark contrast to the trials that befall them due to their own deeds.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader Medinan context addressing the hypocrites of Madinah who outwardly professed Islam while harboring doubt and enmity. It follows passages discussing the characteristics of hypocrites and their relationship with the Muslim community, fitting the surah's focus on social conduct and dealing with those who feign faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best among you to my family' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895). This relates thematically to the ayah's emphasis on truthful conduct versus false claims. Additionally, the hadith about actions being judged by intentions (Sahih Bukhari 1) is relevant to understanding how Allah judges the true intentions behind words.
Themes
Key Lesson
True righteousness cannot be masked by oaths or eloquent words—Allah knows the deepest intentions of the heart, and consequences naturally follow from our actions. Muslims should strive for genuine sincerity in their faith and dealings rather than presenting a false facade of piety.