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 )
121. This means if the battlefield of Tabuk was nearby, and there was a hope of obtaining spoils of war with ease then these pretentious hypocrites would certainly have participated in the battle. From this we learn that to show fear in matters of religion and to look for easy way out is the sign of hypocrites. Furthermore, hypocrites too would participate in holy war - but not for obtaining the pleasure of Allah Almighty, rather for gaining spoils of war.Â
122. This tells us that obedience of the Holy Prophet should be that which stems from the inner heart based on love and Sincerety. Otherwise obedience based on worldly greed was displayed even by the hypocrites. Therefore Allah Almighty has said that if you do love Allah Almighty, then obey the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم only will Allah Almighty love you and forgive all your sins. May Allah Almighty grant us all this type of obedience. Amin.Â
123. This tells us that true love eases all difficulties. The hypocrites were bereft of true love for the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم .To them the Battle of Tabuk and its long road appeared to be difficult and cumbersome.
124. This teaches us that taking false and excessive oaths is a sign of hypocrites. The learned scholars of Islam mention taking excessive oaths decreases one's sustenance. This verse contains information about the unseen, e.g. that after reaching Madina Munuwwarah the hypocrites will express excuses by swearing false oaths. The same happened as prophesized.Â
125. That is by swearing false oaths. From this we learn that false oath is not only a major sin but a means of destruction of the swearer, and a sign of a 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.
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