Transliteration:( Law kaana 'aradan qareebanw wa safaran qaasidal lattaba'ooka wa laakim ba'udat 'alaihimush shuqqah; wa sayahlifoona billaahi lawis tata'naa lakharajnaa ma'akum; yuhlikoona anfusahum wal laahu ya'lamu innahum lakaa ziboon )
If there had been a near gain or an average journey, they would have certainly followed you. But the hardship of the journey seemed too long for them. They will swear by Allah that if they had been able to, they would have certainly gone with you. They bring ruin upon themselves, and Allah knows that they are indeed liars.
✅ 121. Hypocrites Participate for Spoils, Not for Faith
If the battle had been nearby or the journey easier with prospects of easy gain, these hypocrites would have joined—not out of true faith, but motivated by worldly gain. Fear of hardship in religion and seeking easy escape is a key sign of hypocrisy.
✅ 122. True Obedience Must Stem from Sincere Love
Obedience to the Prophet ﷺ must be sincere and heartfelt. Hypocrites showed obedience only for worldly benefit. Allah promises love and forgiveness only to those who obey out of true love.
✅ 123. True Love Eases Hardship
The hypocrites lacked true love for the Prophet ﷺ, so the difficult journey appeared unbearable to them.
✅ 124. False and Excessive Oaths Indicate Hypocrisy
Hypocrites swear falsely and excessively, which is a sign of hypocrisy and diminishes sustenance. This verse foretells their false oaths upon return to Madinah, which came true.
✅ 125. False Oaths Lead to Self-Destruction
Taking false oaths is a major sin and leads to the ruin of the swearer; it is a hallmark of the hypocrite.
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42. Had it been a near gain and an easy journey, they would have followed you, but the distance was long for them; and they would swear by Allah: “If we only could, we would certainly have come forth with you.” They destroy themselves, and Allah knows that they are liars.
Allah admonishes those who lagged behind and did not join the Prophet for the battle of Tabuk, those who asked the Prophet for permission to remain behind, falsely pretending to have legitimate reasons to do so,
(Had it been a near gain), booty right in front of them, according to Ibn `Abbas,
(and an easy journey), travel for only a short distance,
(they would have followed you.) But,
(the distance was long for them), to Ash-Sham,
(and they would swear by Allah), when you return to them,
(If we only could, we would certainly have come forth with you), had not there been a valid excuse, we would have gone out with you,
(They destroy themselves, and Allah knows that they are liars.)
(9:42) Were it a gain at hand or a short journey, they would have surely followed you, but the distance seemed too far to them.[44] Still they will swear by Allah: “If only we could, we would surely have gone forth with you.” They merely bring ruin upon themselves. Allah knows well that they are liars.
44. They felt the journey to Tabuk to be hard because they had to fight with the army of the great and powerful Roman Empire: because they had to journey in the scorching heat of the summer season of the desert: because there was a famine in the country and the new harvest on which they had pinned their hopes was ready for reaping.
[481]- When you return from the Tabūk expedition.
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