Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 101

(Ayah 101) ➊ {وَ مِمَّنْ حَوْلَكُمْ مِّنَ الْاَعْرَابِ مُنٰفِقُوْنَ … :} First, the mention of the hypocrites among the Bedouin (nomads) was made, then the sincere ones among the Bedouin were mentioned. After them, glad tidings were given to the foremost Muhajirun and Ansar and the people of excellence who followed them, and their high ranks were described (their mention is also in the opening verses of Surah Jumu'ah). Now, after these related discussions, the mention is again made of a group of hypocrites who, while living in Madinah and its surroundings, became so skilled and expert in their hypocrisy {’’ مَرَدُوْا ‘‘} that even the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), despite his sharpest insight and strongest estimation, could not recognize all of them specifically, though he might have recognized some by their tone and other signs or by Allah’s indication. See Surah Muhammad (30). Therefore, the narrations in which it is stated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) told Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) the names of some hypocrites are not contrary to this verse, because here it is said that you do not know all of them, meaning you knew some hypocrites and not others, whereas Allah knows all of them. From this, the reality of the false claim about the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) being the knower of the unseen also becomes clear.

➋ {سَنُعَذِّبُهُمْ مَّرَّتَيْنِ:} One is the punishment of grief, sorrow, and anxiety in this world, in which the hypocrites are always afflicted. It is said: «{ يَحْسَبُوْنَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ }» [ المنافقون : ۴ ] that they feel themselves in danger at every moment, consider every loud sound to be against themselves, and then there is also this disgrace that neither the disbelievers nor the Muslims were willing to consider them as their own. After death, the punishment of the grave is called the second punishment. Or, by {’’ مَرَّتَيْنِ ‘‘} is meant the beating of the angels at the time of death, as it is said: «{ يَضْرِبُوْنَ وُجُوْهَهُمْ وَ اَدْبَارَهُمْ }» [ محمد : ۲۷ ] “They will strike their faces and their backs.” Then the punishment of the grave, and after that, by {’’ عَذَابٍ عَظِيْمٍ ‘‘} is meant the punishment of Hell. The meaning of {’’ مَرَّتَيْنِ ‘‘} is also “repeatedly,” as it is said: «{ ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنْقَلِبْ اِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَّ هُوَ حَسِيْرٌ }» [ الملک : ۴ ] “Then return your gaze again and again, your sight will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.” That is, in the world through wealth and children, worries and humiliations, then at the time of death, then repeatedly punishing in the grave, and finally casting into Hell. This meaning is very comprehensive.

➌ {ثُمَّ يُرَدُّوْنَ اِلٰى عَذَابٍ عَظِيْمٍ:} Shah Abdul Qadir (may Allah have mercy on him) writes: {’’ مَرَّتَيْنِ ‘‘} “That is, they will suffer affliction after affliction in the world, then will be seized in the Hereafter.” (Mawdhih)

11. 1 The meanings of mard and tamarrud are softness, gentleness (smoothness), and tajarrud. Thus, a branch without leaves, a horse without hair, a boy whose face has no hair, all of these are called amrad, and glass is called صَرْح مُمَرَّد, i.e., مُجَرَّد. (مَرَدُوْا عَلَی النِّفَاقِ) It is as if they have made themselves pure and alone for hypocrisy, meaning their insistence on it will always remain.

11. 2 In how clear words the knowledge of the unseen is negated for the Prophet. If only the people of innovation were granted the ability to understand the Quran.

11. 3 According to some, this refers to humiliation and disgrace in this world and then punishment in the Hereafter, and according to others, there is a double punishment even in this world.

101. And among the Bedouins around you there are some hypocrites, and among the people of Madinah as well, who persist in hypocrisy. You [114] do not know them, but We know them. We will punish them twice [115], then they will be returned to a great punishment.

[114]
The Cunning Hypocrites of Madinah:

That is, they are so clever and cunning, and their hypocrisy is so deep and mysterious that they do not let their hypocrisy become apparent, yet they remain firmly established upon it. Ordinary Muslims consider them to be true believers. Even you ﷺ, despite your prophetic insight, do not know them. Only Allah knows their hypocrisy, for He is aware of the intentions and secrets of hearts.

[115]
Two Punishments for the Hypocrites:

If the twofold punishment refers to the type of punishment, then one is the punishment of this world, the other is of the realm of Barzakh, and both of these must be endured before the great punishment of the Day of Resurrection. And if both punishments of this world are meant, then one punishment is the humiliation and disgrace before their own children and all the believers, which they have to endure when their hypocritical schemes are exposed. The second is the mental and spiritual anguish that continues to increase with the progress of Islam.