وَمِمَّنْ حَوْلَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ مُنَـٰفِقُونَ ۖ وَمِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ ۖ مَرَدُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلنِّفَاقِ لَا تَعْلَمُهُمْ ۖ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُمْ ۚ سَنُعَذِّبُهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ عَظِيمٍ 101
Translations
And among those around you of the bedouins are hypocrites, and [also] from the people of Madīnah. They have persisted in hypocrisy. You, [O Muḥammad], do not know them, [but] We know them. We will punish them twice [in this world]; then they will be returned to a great punishment.
Transliteration
Wa mimman hawlakum min al-a'rābi munāfiqūn wa min ahli al-Madīnah mardū 'alā an-nifāq lā ta'lamuhum nahnu na'lamuhum sa-nu'adhdhībuhum marratain thumma yuraddūn ilā 'adhābin 'adhīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the widespread hypocrisy among the Bedouin tribes surrounding Medina and among some residents of Medina itself, who had become entrenched in their disbelief despite outward claims of faith. Allah assures the Prophet that while these hypocrites may be hidden from human knowledge, Allah fully knows their true condition and will punish them twice—once in this world through humiliation and hardship, and ultimately in the Hereafter with a severe punishment. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that the 'two punishments' refer to worldly consequences and the eternal torment of the Hereafter.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed during the Medinan period when the Prophet's authority was established, and hypocrites—those who outwardly professed Islam but harbored disbelief—had become a significant issue in and around Medina. It addresses the specific problem of Bedouin tribes who would accept Islam superficially for material gain while maintaining their disbelief. The surah At-Tawbah itself deals extensively with distinguishing genuine believers from hypocrites during the expedition to Tabūk.
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). Additionally, regarding the hypocrites of Medina, 'Ā'ishah narrated that the Prophet said hypocrites would face the lowest level of Hell. (Sunan Ibn Mājah)
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that Allah's knowledge transcends human perception—what appears hidden to us is fully known to the Almighty—and that insincerity in faith inevitably leads to divine punishment. For modern readers, it emphasizes the importance of sincere, internal conviction alongside outward practice, and warns against the spiritual danger of maintaining disbelief while claiming faith for worldly benefits.