لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًا قَرِيبًا وَسَفَرًا قَاصِدًا لَّٱتَّبَعُوكَ وَلَـٰكِنۢ بَعُدَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلشُّقَّةُ ۚ وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَوِ ٱسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ 42
Translations
Had it been a near [i.e., easy] gain and a moderate trip, they [i.e., the hypocrites] would have followed you, but distant to them was the journey. And they will swear by Allāh, "If we were able, we would have gone forth with you," destroying themselves [through false oaths], and Allāh knows that indeed they are liars.
Transliteration
Law kana 'aradan qareebun wa safaran qaasidan lattaba'ook wa laakin ba'udat 'alayhim ash-shiqqah wa sayahlifoon billaahi law istata'naa lakhrajnaa ma'akum yuhlikoon anfusahum wallaahu ya'lamu innahum lakaadhiboon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the hypocrites (munafiqun) who made excuses for not participating in the Tabuk expedition, claiming they would have joined the Prophet (peace be upon him) had the journey been closer or easier. Allah exposes their falsehood, stating that they will swear oaths by Allah that they were unable, while in reality they were destroying themselves through their hypocrisy and lies. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi note that Allah's knowledge of their true intentions—their unwillingness and cowardice—renders their excuses and oaths meaningless.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the context of the Tabuk expedition (9 AH), the final military campaign led by the Prophet Muhammad during his lifetime. It specifically addresses the hypocrites who remained in Medina and later fabricated excuses. The surah At-Tawbah deals extensively with these hypocrites and their various deceptions, making this a central theme of the surah's critique of those who claim faith while lacking commitment.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3951): The Prophet said, 'The best of people are those of my generation, and then those who will come after them, and then those who will come after them.' This hadith emphasizes the virtue of those who strived with the Prophet, contrasting with the hypocrites who avoided such struggle. Additionally, the context of Surah At-Tawbah relates to authentic reports about the hypocrites' excuses during Tabuk.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah sees beyond our words and excuses—He knows the true state of our hearts and intentions. For believers, it is a reminder that sincere commitment to religious duty cannot be replaced by elaborate excuses or false oaths, and that claiming inability when one is truly capable constitutes a form of self-destruction.