4. An-Nisaa

Allah then explained who these people are, saying: (Those who wait upon occasion in regard to you) those who lay in wait for hardship and the turn of events to befall you (and, if a victory) triumph and booty (cometh unto you from Allah, say) i.e. the hypocrites say to the sincere believers: (Are we not with you?) are we not following the same religion? Give us then of the booty, (and if the disbelievers) the Jews (meet with a success) fortune turn in their favour (say: Had we not the mastery of you) did we not divulge, and inform you about, the secrets of Muhammad, (and did we not protect you from the believers?) and did we not protect you from fighting the believers and informed you about them (Allah will judge between you) O congregation of Jews and hypocrites (at the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will not give the disbelievers) the Jews (any way (of success) against the believers) He will not always let fortune turn in favour of the Jews to the detriment of the believers.

(Lo! the hypocrites) 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers (seek to beguile Allah) they disbelieve in Him and oppose Him in secret and think that they are deceiving Him, (but it is Allah Who beguileth them) on the Day of Judgement when, on the Bridge over hell, the believers will tell them: go back to the life of the world and seek some light, knowing full well that they cannot do so. (When they stand up to worship) when they go to perform the prayer (they perform it languidly) they perform it sluggishly (and to be seen of men) when they see people, they go to perform the prayer, but when they do see people they do not go, (and are mindful of Allah) they do not perform the prayer for Allah (but little) to show off and be known by others as people who pray;

(Swaying between this (and that)) wavering between faith and disbelief: disbelief in secret and faith in front of people, ((belonging) neither to these) they are not with the believers as far as what is in their heart is concerned, such that that which is obligated upon the believers is obligated upon them (nor to those) nor do they belong to the Jews when they declare their faith in public, such that what is prescribed for the Jews is prescribed for them. (He whom Allah causeth to go astray) from His religion and proof in the depth of his heart, (thou (O Muhammad) will not find a way for him) you will not find a religion or proof for him as far as the conviction of his heart is concerned:

(O ye who believe!) only outwardly: 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers (Choose not disbelievers) the Jews (for (your) friends) in order to gain power (in place of believers) instead of sincere believers. (Would you) O group of hypocrites (give Allah) give Allah's Messenger (a clear warrant against you?) a clear proof and reason to kill you.

(Lo! the hypocrites) 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers ((will be) in the lowest deep of the Fire) because of their evil, betrayal and scheming against the Prophet (pbuh) and against his Companions, (and thou wilt find no helper) a protector (for them);

(Save those who repent) from hypocrisy and harbouring disbelief secretly (and amend) that which is between them and their Lord with regard to their scheming and treachery (and hold fast to Allah) they hold fast to their belief in Allah's divine Oneness inwardly (and make their religion) their belief in Allah's divine Oneness (pure for Allah (only). Those are with the believers) they are with the believers inwardly; it is also said that this means that they are with them as far as the promise is concerned; and it is also said that this means that they are with the believers both inwardly and outwardly; and it is said that they are with the believers in Paradise. (And Allah will bestow on the believers) sincere believers (an immense reward) an abundant reward in Paradise.

(What concern hath Allah for your punishment) why should Allah punish you (if ye are thankful (for His mercies)) if you believe inwardly in His divine Oneness (and believe (in Him)) and you have faith inwardly? (Allah is ever Responsive) He is responsive for the little that is done in His sake and rewards abundantly for it, (Aware) of those who are thankful and of those who are not.

(Allah loveth not the utterance of harsh speech) verbal abuse (save by one who has been wronged) in this case, he is permitted to make supplications; it is also said that this means: Allah does not love the utterance of harsh speech even from one who has been wronged. (Allah is ever Hearer) of the supplication of the person who has been wronged, (Knower) of the punishment of the transgressor. This verse was revealed about Abu Bakr who was verbally abused by a man.

(If ye do good) if you answer in a good manner (openly or keep it secret) and not be contemptuous, (or forgive evil) or overlook a transgression, (lo! Allah is Forgiving) of the person who has been wronged, (Powerful) to punish the transgressor.