Surah At-Tawba (9) — Ayah 74

They swear by Allah that they did not say it, but in fact they uttered the word of disbelief [89] and disbelieved after accepting Islam. They also intended something which they could not accomplish [90]. And they resented nothing except that Allah and His Messenger had enriched them out of His bounty [91]. So if they repent, it will be better for them; but if they turn away, Allah will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And they will have no protector or helper on the earth.

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Disrespecting the Messenger is an Act of Disbelief:

What was the word of disbelief that these hypocrites uttered? The Quran has not specified it here. This is because it was not a single isolated incident, but rather, on several occasions, these people uttered such words of disbelief, as mentioned in the narrations. However, we will suffice with the incident that is briefly mentioned in Surah Munafiqun and in a bit more detail in Bukhari. Sayyiduna Zayd bin Arqam says that during a battle (on the return from the Battle of Banu Mustaliq, when there was a dispute between the Muhajirun and the Ansar), I heard Abdullah bin Ubayy saying, "People! Do this: those who have gathered around the Prophet (the Muhajirun), do not give them anything for their expenses. They will leave him on their own. And if we return to Madinah after the battle, the honorable one (i.e., Abdullah bin Ubayy himself) will expel the lowly one (i.e., Muhammad ﷺ)." I related these words to my uncle (Sa'd bin 'Ubadah) or to Sayyiduna 'Umar ؓ. They informed the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ first called me and asked, so I admitted to these words. Then the Prophet ﷺ called Abdullah bin Ubayy and his companions, but they denied and began to swear oaths that they had never said such a thing. The Prophet ﷺ considered me a liar and Abdullah bin Ubayy truthful (because he and his companions were also swearing oaths). I was so grieved by this that I had never been before. I stayed at home. My uncle said, "Oh! What have you done? After all, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ considered you a liar and was displeased." At that time, Allah revealed Surah Munafiqun, so the Prophet ﷺ called me and recited this Surah to me. Afterwards, he said: "Zayd, Allah has confirmed your statement." [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير۔ سورة المنافقون]

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Some of the Hypocrites' Plots in Which They Failed:

There are countless such incidents proven from the Book and Sunnah, for example, the same incident mentioned above. Secondly, in every battle, they would conspire with the Quraysh of Makkah or the Jews so that the Muslims would be defeated, but they failed in this objective as well. Thirdly, for their secret plots and mischief, they built a deceptive base in the form of Masjid Dhirar, which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, upon returning from the Battle of Tabuk, immediately had set on fire and destroyed by the command of Allah. Fourthly, in connection with this Battle of Tabuk, there is the incident that occurred during the return from this journey.

The Failed Plot to Assassinate the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:

In which the hypocrites, God forbid, had plotted to kill the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and these conspirators were later called the People of 'Aqabah (those of the mountain pass). Their plan was that, while traveling at night on the difficult mountain paths, at the place of the pass, they would separate the Prophet ﷺ from the army and suddenly attack him, lift him from his mount, and throw him down into the pass to kill him, and no one would know of the incident. When the Prophet ﷺ reached this pass, Allah informed him through revelation. At that time, the Prophet ﷺ ordered a man to announce throughout the army that no one should come towards the pass and that everyone should go by the valley route, which was easier and open. At that time, Sayyiduna Hudhayfah bin Yaman ؓ was leading the Prophet’s ﷺ camel from the front, and Sayyiduna 'Ammar bin Yasir ؓ was driving it from behind. Upon this announcement, all the Muslims took the valley route, but these hypocrites, disregarding the Prophet’s ﷺ command, were intent on carrying out their evil plan. Suddenly, four hypocrites, with their faces covered, reached the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ ordered Sayyiduna Hudhayfah to strike hard blows on the faces of the hypocrites’ mounts. He struck their mounts’ faces forcefully with his shield, saying, "Enemies of Allah! Get away!" From Sayyiduna Hudhayfah’s call, the hypocrites realized that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had been informed of their plan. Therefore, they quickly rejoined the Muslim army. The Prophet ﷺ told Sayyiduna Hudhayfah the names of these hypocrites and even their fathers, and also instructed that their names should not be disclosed to anyone. Sayyiduna Hudhayfah recognized these hypocrites fully, but he never revealed this secret of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, which is why he was called "the Keeper of the Prophet’s Secret." The following hadith from Sahih Muslim sheds full light on this incident. Once, there was a dispute between Sayyiduna Hudhayfah ؓ and one of the people of 'Aqabah. That person said, "I ask you by Allah, how many were the people of 'Aqabah?" The people said to Sayyiduna Hudhayfah, "Since he is asking, please tell him." Sayyiduna Hudhayfah said, "We have been informed that they were fourteen, and if you were among them, then fifteen. And I swear by Allah that twelve of them are enemies of Allah and His Messenger in this world and the Hereafter. As for the remaining three, they made an excuse that they had not heard the Prophet’s call and did not know what those people intended." [مسلم۔ كتاب صفة المنافقين و احكامهم]

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Along with the Muslims, the Hypocrites Also Enjoyed Prosperity:

When the Muslims migrated to Madinah, at that time the economy of Madinah was dominated by the Jews. They were a wealthy and usurious people. Trade was in their hands. They made and sold weapons of war. In addition, they also dealt in alcohol. Along with this economic superiority, they had also gained political superiority by inciting the Aws and Khazraj against each other. When the Prophet ﷺ arrived, this political superiority passed from the Jews to the Muslims. Through brotherhood (mu’akhah) and the blessings of the Prophet’s ﷺ supplication, the Muslims’ economy improved. Then, through the spoils of war, the Muslims became prosperous, and in all these matters, the hypocrites also shared. Allah Almighty is saying to the hypocrites that it is because of Allah and His Messenger that you have attained prosperity; then if you show disloyalty by becoming enemies to them, you will suffer humiliation and disgrace in this world and severe punishment in the Hereafter.