Hypocrites stay behind

When a chapter is revealed, commanding, “Believe in Allah and strive alongside His Messenger,” the wealthy among them ask for exemption, saying, “Leave us with those who stay behind.”

9:86And when a surah is revealed (which saith): Believe in Allah and strive along with His messenger, the men of wealth among them still ask leave of thee and say: Suffer us to be with those who sit (at home).

They preferred to remain with those who lagged behind. Their hearts were sealed, so they do not understand.

9:87They are content that they should be with the useless and their hearts are sealed, so that they apprehend not.

Some desert Arabs came with excuses, seeking exemption

9:90And those among the wandering Arabs who had an excuse came in order that permission might be granted them. And those who lied to Allah and His messenger sat at home. A painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.

Had the gain been near and the journey short, they would have followed you, but the distance seemed too far. They will swear, “Had we been able, we would have joined you.” They ruin themselves, for Allah knows they are lying.

9:42Had it been a near adventure and an easy journey they had followed thee, but the distance seemed too far for them. Yet will they swear by Allah (saying): If we had been able we would surely have set out with you. They destroy their souls, and Allah knoweth that they verily are liars.

May Allah pardon you! Why did you grant them permission before verifying who was truthful and who was lying?

9:43Allah forgive thee (O Muhammad)! Wherefor didst thou grant them leave ere those who told the truth were manifest to thee and thou didst know the liars?

Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day do not ask to be excused from striving with their wealth and lives.

9:44Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day ask no leave of thee lest they should strive with their wealth and their lives. Allah is Aware of those who keep their duty (unto Him).

Only those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day seek exemption; their hearts are filled with doubt, and they waver in uncertainty.

9:45They alone ask leave of thee who believe not in Allah and the Last Day, and whose hearts feel doubt, so in their doubt they waver.

Had they truly intended to go forth, they would have prepared for it. But Allah disliked their participation, so He held them back, and they were told, “Stay behind with those who remain.”

9:46And if they had wished to go forth they would assuredly have made ready some equipment, but Allah was averse to their being sent forth and held them back and it was said (unto them): Sit ye with the sedentary!

Had they gone forth with you, they would have only spread discord and hurried among you, seeking to cause division. Some among you would have listened to them, but Allah knows the wrongdoers.

9:47Had they gone forth among you they had added to you naught save trouble and had hurried to and fro among you, seeking to cause sedition among you; and among you there are some who would have listened to them. Allah is Aware of evil-doers.

They had already sought to stir up trouble before, turning matters upside down until the truth prevailed and Allah’s command was fulfilled, despite their dislike.

9:48Aforetime they sought to cause sedition and raised difficulties for thee till the Truth came and the decree of Allah was made manifest, though they were loth.

Some say, “Grant me exemption and do not test me.” But they have already fallen into trial.

9:49Of them is he who saith: Grant me leave (to stay at home) and tempt me not. Surely it is into temptation that they (thus) have fallen. Lo! hell verily is all around the disbelievers.

If Allah brings you back to a group of them and they ask to join you, say, “You will never march with me, nor fight an enemy alongside me. You were content to stay behind the first time, so remain with those who lag behind.”

9:83If Allah bring thee back (from the campaign) unto a party of them and they ask of thee leave to go out (to fight), then say unto them: Ye shall never more go out with me nor fight with me against a foe. Ye were content with sitting still the first time. So sit still, with the useless.

And when a group among them said, “O people of Yathrib, you cannot withstand this retreat!” Yet another faction sought permission from the Prophet, claiming, “Our homes are exposed,” though they were not. They only wished to flee.

33:13And when a party of them said: O folk of Yathrib! There is no stand (possible) for you, therefor turn back. And certain of them (even) sought permission of the Prophet, saying: Our homes lie open (to the enemy). And they lay not open. They but wished to flee.

Had the city been breached and they were invited to treachery, they would have readily complied.

33:14If the enemy had entered from all sides and they had been exhorted to treachery, they would have committed it, and would have hesitated thereupon but little.

Yet they had already pledged to God that they would not turn away. A covenant with God is a solemn responsibility.

33:15And verily they had already sworn unto Allah that they would not turn their backs (to the foe). An oath to Allah must be answered for.

Say, “Fleeing will not benefit you if you escape death or killing, you will only enjoy life for a short while.”

33:16Say: Flight will not avail you if ye flee from death or killing, and then ye dwell in comfort but a little while.

Say, “Who can shield you from God if He wills harm or mercy for you?”

33:17Say: Who is he who can preserve you from Allah if He intendeth harm for you, or intendeth mercy for you. They will not find that they have any friend or helper other than Allah.

God already knows those among you who hinder others and secretly say, “Come to us,” while they themselves rarely join the battle.

33:18Allah already knoweth those of you who hinder, and those who say unto their brethren: "Come ye hither unto us!" and they come not to the stress of battle save a little,

They are miserly toward you. When fear grips them, you see them staring at you with eyes rolling in terror, like one fainting at the moment of death. But when the fear passes, they lash out at you with sharp tongues, greedy for wealth. Such people have no true faith, and that is easy for Allah

33:19Being sparing of their help to you (believers). But when the fear cometh, then thou (Muhammad) seest them regarding thee with rolling eyes like one who fainteth unto death. Then, when the fear departeth, they scald you with sharp tongues in their greed for wealth (from the spoil). Such have not believed. Therefor Allah maketh their deeds fruitless. And that is easy for Allah.

They think the enemy has not withdrawn. If the enemy were to return, they would wish to be far away in the desert, merely hearing news of the battle rather than fighting in it. Even if they were among you, they would barely participate.

33:20They hold that the clans have not retired (for good); and if the clans should advance (again), they would fain be in the desert with the wandering Arabs, asking for the news of you; and if they were among you, they would not give battle, save a little.

Say to those desert Arabs who stayed behind: “You will be summoned against a people of great might, you will fight them unless they surrender. If you obey, God will grant you a fine reward. But if you turn away, as you turned away before, He will punish you with a painful punishment.”

48:16Say unto those of the wandering Arabs who were left behind: Ye will be called against a folk of mighty prowess, to fight them until they surrender; and if ye obey, Allah will give you a fair reward; but if ye turn away as ye did turn away before, He will punish you with a painful doom.