إِن تُصِبْكَ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُصِبْكَ مُصِيبَةٌ يَقُولُوا۟ قَدْ أَخَذْنَآ أَمْرَنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَيَتَوَلَّوا۟ وَّهُمْ فَرِحُونَ 50
Translations
If good befalls you, it distresses them; but if disaster strikes you, they say, "We took our matter [in hand] before," and turn away while they are rejoicing.
Transliteration
In tusibka hasanah tas'uhum, wa in tusibka musibah yaqulū qad akhdharnā amranā min qablu wa yatawallau wa hum fariḥūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the hypocrites' envious and malicious nature: when good befalls the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), they are grieved; when hardship strikes him, they rejoice and claim they had already taken precautions, turning away in delight at his misfortune. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note this reflects the deep-seated enmity of the munāfiqūn (hypocrites) toward the Prophet and Islam, exposing their true character despite outward profession of faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah At-Tawbah's discourse on hypocrites during the Medinan period, particularly addressing those who showed disloyalty during military campaigns and times of trial. The context relates to the hypocrites' behavior toward the Prophet's military expeditions and the struggles of the early Muslim community.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: 'The example of a believer is like a standing ear of grain—wind bends it but does not break it' (Sahih Bukhari). This contrasts with the hypocrite's instability shown in 9:50. Also relevant: 'The believer's shade on the Day of Judgment will be his charity' (Sahih Bukhari), emphasizing steadfast righteousness versus the hypocrite's inconsistency.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers to maintain steady commitment to truth regardless of circumstances, and warns against the spiritual disease of hypocrisy that celebrates others' misfortunes. In modern context, it calls us to examine our hearts for hidden resentment toward the righteous and to cultivate genuine compassion rather than concealed malice.
Related Ayahs
لَئِنْ أُخْرِجُوا۟ لَا يَخْرُجُونَ مَعَهُمْ وَلَئِن قُوتِلُوا۟ لَا يَنصُرُونَهُمْ وَلَئِن نَّصَرُوهُمْ لَيُوَلُّنَّ ٱلْأَدْبَـٰرَ ثُمَّ لَا يُنصَرُونَ
If they are expelled, they will not leave with them, and if they are fought, they will not aid them. And [even] if they should aid them, they will surely turn their backs; then [thereafter] they will not be aided.
وَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَجَـٰهِدُوا۟ مَعَ رَسُولِهِ ٱسْتَـْٔذَنَكَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلطَّوْلِ مِنْهُمْ وَقَالُوا۟ ذَرْنَا نَكُن مَّعَ ٱلْقَـٰعِدِينَ
And when a sūrah was revealed [enjoining them] to believe in Allāh and to fight with His Messenger, those of wealth among them asked your permission [to stay back] and said, "Leave us to be with them who sit [at home]."
أَمْ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ أَن لَّن يُخْرِجَ ٱللَّهُ أَضْغَـٰنَهُمْ
Or do those in whose hearts is disease think that Allāh would never expose their [feelings of] hatred?
۞ إِنَّمَا ٱلسَّبِيلُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَـْٔذِنُونَكَ وَهُمْ أَغْنِيَآءُ ۚ رَضُوا۟ بِأَن يَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْخَوَالِفِ وَطَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
The cause [for blame] is only upon those who ask permission of you while they are rich. They are satisfied to be with those who stay behind, and Allāh has sealed over their hearts, so they do not know.