سُوْرَةُ مُحَمَّدٍ
Surah Muhammad (47) — Ayah 20
وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَوْلَا نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ ۖ فَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُّحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا ٱلْقِتَالُ ۙ رَأَيْتَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ نَظَرَ ٱلْمَغْشِىِّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ فَأَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ ﴿20﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Those who believe say: "Why is not a Sûrah (chapter of the Qur’ân) sent down (for us)? But when a decisive Sûrah (explaining and ordering things) is sent down, and fighting (Jihâd - holy fighting in Allâh’s cause) is mentioned (i.e. ordained) therein, you will see those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) looking at you with a look of one fainting to death. But it was better for them (hypocrites, to listen to Allâh and to obey Him).
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَيَقُولُ
wayaqūlu
And say
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
ءَامَنُوا۟
āmanū
believe
لَوْلَا
lawlā
Why not
نُزِّلَتْ
nuzzilat
has been revealed
سُورَةٌۭ ۖ
sūratun
a Surah
فَإِذَآ
fa-idhā
But when
أُنزِلَتْ
unzilat
is revealed
سُورَةٌۭ
sūratun
a Surah
مُّحْكَمَةٌۭ
muḥ'kamatun
precise
وَذُكِرَ
wadhukira
and is mentioned
فِيهَا
fīhā
in it
ٱلْقِتَالُ ۙ
l-qitālu
the fighting
رَأَيْتَ
ra-ayta
you see
ٱلَّذِينَ
alladhīna
those who
فِى
fī
in
قُلُوبِهِم
qulūbihim
their hearts
مَّرَضٌۭ
maraḍun
(is) a disease
يَنظُرُونَ
yanẓurūna
looking
إِلَيْكَ
ilayka
at you
نَظَرَ
naẓara
a look
ٱلْمَغْشِىِّ
l-maghshiyi
(of) one fainting
عَلَيْهِ
ʿalayhi
(of) one fainting
مِنَ
mina
from
ٱلْمَوْتِ ۖ
l-mawti
the death
فَأَوْلَىٰ
fa-awlā
But more appropriate
لَهُمْ
lahum
for 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.
And those who believe say, "Why is a surah (about fighting) not sent down?" But when a decisive surah is revealed, and fighting is mentioned in it, you see those in whose hearts is a disease looking at you as if they were fainting from death. So woe [24] to such people!
[24]
The Miserable State of the Hypocrites Upon the Command of Jihad:
In Makkah, the oppression and persecution of the Muslims had reached its peak. But the command from Allah Almighty was to endure everything with patience, and to focus all attention on establishing prayers, paying zakat, and remembering Him. At that time, many courageous Muslims used to wish that they would be granted permission to fight the disbelievers, so that they could take revenge for their oppression. After reaching Madinah, Muslims were granted permission to fight after one year. However, no explicit command had yet been revealed, and they desired that clear commands and instructions regarding jihad be sent down. Then, when such instructions were revealed, by that time many hypocrites had also joined the ranks of the Muslims, and in addition, there were some weak in faith and feeble Muslims as well. When the commands of jihad were revealed, suddenly the fear of death overcame them. And they began to look at the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as if death was standing right before them. The hypocrites only wanted a comfortable Islam. They would pray with the Muslims and even fast, but when the time came to risk their lives, they immediately lost courage. And everyone came to know how sincere each person was in their faith.
[24]
The Miserable State of the Hypocrites Upon the Command of Jihad:
In Makkah, the oppression and persecution of the Muslims had reached its peak. But the command from Allah Almighty was to endure everything with patience, and to focus all attention on establishing prayers, paying zakat, and remembering Him. At that time, many courageous Muslims used to wish that they would be granted permission to fight the disbelievers, so that they could take revenge for their oppression. After reaching Madinah, Muslims were granted permission to fight after one year. However, no explicit command had yet been revealed, and they desired that clear commands and instructions regarding jihad be sent down. Then, when such instructions were revealed, by that time many hypocrites had also joined the ranks of the Muslims, and in addition, there were some weak in faith and feeble Muslims as well. When the commands of jihad were revealed, suddenly the fear of death overcame them. And they began to look at the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as if death was standing right before them. The hypocrites only wanted a comfortable Islam. They would pray with the Muslims and even fast, but when the time came to risk their lives, they immediately lost courage. And everyone came to know how sincere each person was in their faith.
