سُوْرَةُ الْمُنَافِقُوْنَ
Surah Al-Munaafiqoon (63) — Ayah 4
۞ وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ أَجْسَامُهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَقُولُوا۟ تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ ۖ كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُّسَنَّدَةٌ ۖ يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ هُمُ ٱلْعَدُوُّ فَٱحْذَرْهُمْ ۚ قَـٰتَلَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ ﴿4﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And when you look at them, their bodies please you; and when they speak, you listen to their words. They are as blocks of wood propped up. They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies, so beware of them. May Allâh curse them! How are they denying (or deviating from) the Right Path?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ وَإِذَا
wa-idhā
And when
رَأَيْتَهُمْ
ra-aytahum
you see them
تُعْجِبُكَ
tuʿ'jibuka
pleases you
أَجْسَامُهُمْ ۖ
ajsāmuhum
their bodies
وَإِن
wa-in
and if
يَقُولُوا۟
yaqūlū
they speak
تَسْمَعْ
tasmaʿ
you listen
لِقَوْلِهِمْ ۖ
liqawlihim
to their speech
كَأَنَّهُمْ
ka-annahum
as if they (were)
خُشُبٌۭ
khushubun
pieces of wood
مُّسَنَّدَةٌۭ ۖ
musannadatun
propped up
يَحْسَبُونَ
yaḥsabūna
They think
كُلَّ
kulla
every
صَيْحَةٍ
ṣayḥatin
shout
عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ
ʿalayhim
(is) against them
هُمُ
humu
They
ٱلْعَدُوُّ
l-ʿaduwu
(are) the enemy
فَٱحْذَرْهُمْ ۚ
fa-iḥ'dharhum
so beware of them
قَـٰتَلَهُمُ
qātalahumu
May destroy them
ٱللَّهُ ۖ
l-lahu
Allah
أَنَّىٰ
annā
How
يُؤْفَكُونَ
yu'fakūna
are they deluded
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
(Ayah 4) ➊ {وَ اِذَا رَاَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ اَجْسَامُهُمْ:} Most of the hypocrites were prosperous, influential, clever, and shrewd people. Their prosperity and greed for wealth were the cause of their hypocrisy. Their leader, Abdullah bin Ubayy, was also a chief in terms of wealth and was very handsome, tall, and well-built in appearance. Zayd bin Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) said about him and his companions: [ كَانُوْا رِجَالاً أَجْمَلَ شَيْءٍ ] [ بخاري : ۴۹۰۳ ] "They were very handsome men." For more details, see the commentary of verse (7) ahead. Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that (among the captives of Badr) Abbas was in Madinah, and the Ansar searched for clothes to dress him, but they found no shirt that would fit his body except the shirt of Abdullah bin Ubayy, so they dressed him in that. [ نسائي، الجنائز، باب القمیص في الکفن : ۱۹۰۳، وقال الألباني صحیح ] The scholars say that when Abdullah bin Ubayy died, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made him wear his own shirt, and besides other considerations, it was also to repay this favor. In the previous verse, Allah Almighty, along with mentioning the lack of understanding of the hypocrites with the words {’’ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُوْنَ ‘‘}, said: O addressee! When you see them, their bodies will appear very pleasing to you because of their stature and beauty, and if they speak, they are so eloquent and articulate that you would keep listening to them. Their glibness is also mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah (204). Here, some commentators have considered the addressee in {’’ وَ اِذَا رَاَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ اَجْسَامُهُمْ ‘‘} to be the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), but it is better to keep it general for every addressee, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had been seeing them from the beginning.
➋ It is obvious that by {’’ اِذَا رَاَيْتَهُمْ ‘‘} (when you see them), Abdullah bin Ubayy and hypocrites like him are meant, because not all hypocrites were handsome and beautiful, nor were they all so eloquent and articulate. (Al-Tasheel)
➌ {كَاَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُّسَنَّدَةٌ: ’’ خُشُبٌ ‘‘ ’’خَشَبَةٌ ‘‘} is the plural of 'khashabah', meaning "pieces of wood." This plural form is very rare. The commentators have given its example as the plural of {’’ ثَمَرَةٌ ‘‘} is {’’ ثُمُرٌ ‘‘}. {’’ مُسَنَّدَةٌ ‘‘} is a passive participle from the Bab Taf'il, meaning "leaned against the wall." That is, just as pieces of wood, despite their length, width, and beauty, lack intellect and understanding, similarly, these people are also devoid of intellect and understanding. When they sit in your gathering leaning against the wall, do not think they are men, but rather consider them as pieces of wood leaned against the wall, though they may appear beautiful outwardly. Zamakhshari said that the meaning of the verse is that despite being handsome, beautiful, tall, and broad, there is no hope of benefit from them, just as useful wood is used in roofs, doors, or windows, or somewhere else, but useless wood is just leaned against the wall.
➍ { يَحْسَبُوْنَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ:} In this, their cowardice is depicted: as soon as any sound is raised or there is a commotion, they think it is a calamity befalling them, that perhaps the disbelievers have attacked, in which we will have to fight and may die. (See Al-Ahzab: 19) Or that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Muslims have discovered our inner malice and an order has come against us, or that Allah Almighty has revealed a verse or surah exposing us or ordering our killing. (See At-Tawbah: 64)
➎ { هُمُ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ: ’’ الْعَدُوُّ ‘‘} By bringing "al" (the definite article) on the word "enemy," exclusivity is created in the statement: your real enemies are these. Because the open enmity of the disbelievers is apparent, from which it is easy to be cautious, but these are insiders and snakes in the sleeve who, pretending to be Muslims, are always with you. Their enmity is more dangerous and it is very difficult to protect oneself from it, so beware of them.
➏ {قٰتَلَهُمُ اللّٰهُ:} This is a phrase of curse: "May Allah destroy them." Here, a question arises: What need does Allah have for supplication or curse, when He can do whatever He wills? The answer is that here the curse that comes on people's tongues regarding them is quoted. The intent is to condemn them.
➐ {اَنّٰى يُؤْفَكُوْنَ:} That is, despite such clear proofs, where are these people being led astray by abandoning faith?
➋ It is obvious that by {’’ اِذَا رَاَيْتَهُمْ ‘‘} (when you see them), Abdullah bin Ubayy and hypocrites like him are meant, because not all hypocrites were handsome and beautiful, nor were they all so eloquent and articulate. (Al-Tasheel)
➌ {كَاَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُّسَنَّدَةٌ: ’’ خُشُبٌ ‘‘ ’’خَشَبَةٌ ‘‘} is the plural of 'khashabah', meaning "pieces of wood." This plural form is very rare. The commentators have given its example as the plural of {’’ ثَمَرَةٌ ‘‘} is {’’ ثُمُرٌ ‘‘}. {’’ مُسَنَّدَةٌ ‘‘} is a passive participle from the Bab Taf'il, meaning "leaned against the wall." That is, just as pieces of wood, despite their length, width, and beauty, lack intellect and understanding, similarly, these people are also devoid of intellect and understanding. When they sit in your gathering leaning against the wall, do not think they are men, but rather consider them as pieces of wood leaned against the wall, though they may appear beautiful outwardly. Zamakhshari said that the meaning of the verse is that despite being handsome, beautiful, tall, and broad, there is no hope of benefit from them, just as useful wood is used in roofs, doors, or windows, or somewhere else, but useless wood is just leaned against the wall.
➍ { يَحْسَبُوْنَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ:} In this, their cowardice is depicted: as soon as any sound is raised or there is a commotion, they think it is a calamity befalling them, that perhaps the disbelievers have attacked, in which we will have to fight and may die. (See Al-Ahzab: 19) Or that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Muslims have discovered our inner malice and an order has come against us, or that Allah Almighty has revealed a verse or surah exposing us or ordering our killing. (See At-Tawbah: 64)
➎ { هُمُ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ: ’’ الْعَدُوُّ ‘‘} By bringing "al" (the definite article) on the word "enemy," exclusivity is created in the statement: your real enemies are these. Because the open enmity of the disbelievers is apparent, from which it is easy to be cautious, but these are insiders and snakes in the sleeve who, pretending to be Muslims, are always with you. Their enmity is more dangerous and it is very difficult to protect oneself from it, so beware of them.
➏ {قٰتَلَهُمُ اللّٰهُ:} This is a phrase of curse: "May Allah destroy them." Here, a question arises: What need does Allah have for supplication or curse, when He can do whatever He wills? The answer is that here the curse that comes on people's tongues regarding them is quoted. The intent is to condemn them.
➐ {اَنّٰى يُؤْفَكُوْنَ:} That is, despite such clear proofs, where are these people being led astray by abandoning faith?
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
4. 1 That is, because of their beauty, elegance, and radiance.
4. 2 That is, because of the eloquence and fluency of their speech.
4. 3 That is, due to their tall stature and attractive appearance, lack of understanding, and scarcity of goodness, they are like pieces of wood propped up against a wall, which may look pleasing to the onlookers but cannot benefit anyone.
4. 4 That is, they are so cowardly that if they hear a loud sound, they think some calamity has befallen them or they become anxious that perhaps some action is being initiated against them.
4. 2 That is, because of the eloquence and fluency of their speech.
4. 3 That is, due to their tall stature and attractive appearance, lack of understanding, and scarcity of goodness, they are like pieces of wood propped up against a wall, which may look pleasing to the onlookers but cannot benefit anyone.
4. 4 That is, they are so cowardly that if they hear a loud sound, they think some calamity has befallen them or they become anxious that perhaps some action is being initiated against them.
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
4. If you see them, their appearance [5] pleases you, and if they speak, you listen to their words. They are like pieces of wood propped up against a wall [6]. Every loud cry they think is against them [7]. They are the real enemies, so beware of them [8]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?
[5]
The Habits and Traits of the Hypocrites:
The leader of the hypocrites, Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul, was also a chief in terms of wealth. He was very handsome in appearance and a tall, well-built young man. Among the prisoners of Badr was your ﷺ uncle, Sayyiduna Abbas, who was unclothed, and only his (Abdullah bin Ubayy’s) shirt could fit him. You ﷺ asked Abdullah bin Ubayy for it, and he gave it. The recompense for this was given by you ﷺ when Abdullah bin Ubayy died. And his son Abdullah, who was a true Muslim, requested you ﷺ that if you would give your shirt, he would clothe his father with it, and you ﷺ gave it. He was also eloquent. He knew how to speak and how to please and satisfy others with his words. When he spoke, one would wish to keep listening to him. Some of his close companions also possessed such qualities.
[6] When these people would come to your gathering, they would sit leaning against a wall. In reality, they did this to show their superiority and air of indifference. And Allah likened them to pieces of wood in that wood has no ability to hear, think, or understand. Similarly, these people come only for show. They neither listen attentively to your ﷺ words, nor, if they do hear something, do they bother to understand or reflect upon it, and they leave just as they came, shaking off their garments. They are not ready to accept any guidance.
[7] They are so cowardly and fearful that at the slightest rustle, their hearts tremble. Like habitual criminals, they are always anxious that perhaps some secret of theirs has been exposed, or that they are about to be caught for some deed.
[8] Because these people are insiders and snakes in the sleeve. They convey all your matters to the enemies and keep them informed of every action. These people are more dangerous than your open enemies, i.e., the Jews, the disbelievers of Makkah, and the polytheists. Therefore, it is necessary to be extremely cautious of them.
[5]
The Habits and Traits of the Hypocrites:
The leader of the hypocrites, Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul, was also a chief in terms of wealth. He was very handsome in appearance and a tall, well-built young man. Among the prisoners of Badr was your ﷺ uncle, Sayyiduna Abbas, who was unclothed, and only his (Abdullah bin Ubayy’s) shirt could fit him. You ﷺ asked Abdullah bin Ubayy for it, and he gave it. The recompense for this was given by you ﷺ when Abdullah bin Ubayy died. And his son Abdullah, who was a true Muslim, requested you ﷺ that if you would give your shirt, he would clothe his father with it, and you ﷺ gave it. He was also eloquent. He knew how to speak and how to please and satisfy others with his words. When he spoke, one would wish to keep listening to him. Some of his close companions also possessed such qualities.
[6] When these people would come to your gathering, they would sit leaning against a wall. In reality, they did this to show their superiority and air of indifference. And Allah likened them to pieces of wood in that wood has no ability to hear, think, or understand. Similarly, these people come only for show. They neither listen attentively to your ﷺ words, nor, if they do hear something, do they bother to understand or reflect upon it, and they leave just as they came, shaking off their garments. They are not ready to accept any guidance.
[7] They are so cowardly and fearful that at the slightest rustle, their hearts tremble. Like habitual criminals, they are always anxious that perhaps some secret of theirs has been exposed, or that they are about to be caught for some deed.
[8] Because these people are insiders and snakes in the sleeve. They convey all your matters to the enemies and keep them informed of every action. These people are more dangerous than your open enemies, i.e., the Jews, the disbelievers of Makkah, and the polytheists. Therefore, it is necessary to be extremely cautious of them.
