Overview (Verses 98 - 99)

The Gap Separating Faith and Hypocrisy

Having given a general description of the desert Arabs, the sūrah classifies them further on the basis of what changes in their characteristics the faith has produced, and the gap that has emerged between hearts that have experienced the happiness generated by faith and those that remained unbelieving, hypocritical. This description is drawn against the background of the situation of the Muslim community at that time: “Some desert Arabs regard what they may spend [for God’s cause] as a loss, and wait for some misfortune to befall you. The evil turn of fortune will be theirs. God hears all and knows all.” (Verse 98) Most probably the hypocrites among the desert people are mentioned first in order to group them with the hypocrites in Madinah who were the subject of discussion in the previous passage. This complements the discussion of hypocrites from both areas.

“Some desert Arabs regard what they may spend [for God’s cause] as a loss.” (Verse 98) Such a person needs to give some of his money in zakāt and to contribute to the jihād campaigns. In this way he gives evidence of his being a Muslim and is thus able to enjoy the comforts of life in the Muslim community. He is also able to win favour with the Muslims who were the major power in Arabia. To him, what he spends is a clear loss which he is forced to pay. He does not give it out of any good will towards Islam or the Muslims. He does not like that they are victorious. Indeed his real attitude is quite different. He “waits for some misfortune to befall you.” (Verse 98) He would love to see the Muslims return from battle soundly defeated. He would be thrilled if misfortune befell them.

Hence a supplication against them is stated here. A supplication by God signifies certainty. Hence the supplication is given here in the form of a statement: “The evil turn of fortune will be theirs.” (Verse 98) The Arabic expression describes evil as if it has a circle which closes in on them and from which they can have no escape. It turns them round and they are seized in the middle with no let up. This abstract notion, described in vivid and concrete terms, brings the meaning closer to our minds. “God hears all and knows all.” (Verse 98) His hearing and knowledge are attributes which fit in perfectly with the atmosphere of ill intention, the waiting for misfortune to befall the Muslim community, and the hypocrisy that fills their hearts, although they try hard to conceal it. God certainly hears what they say, and He knows what they hide and what they keep in the open.

Another group however have experienced the happiness and delight that come with faith: “Still other desert Arabs believe in God and the Last Day, and regard what they spend [for God’s cause] as a means to bring them closer to God and [of their being remembered] in the Messenger’s prayers. It shall certainly be for them a means of drawing near to God. God will admit them to His grace, for God is Much forgiving, Merciful.” (Verse 99) What motivates these people to spend their money is their belief in God and the Day of Judgement. They have no fear of people, and they feel no need to flatter those in power. They make no calculation of profit and loss which they are likely to make in this world.

This group of believers wish that what they spend of their wealth will bring them closer to God and are eager to be remembered in the Prophet’s prayers. That remembrance would demonstrate that he is pleased with them. His prayers are certainly answered by God as he devotes them to believers who spend their money for God’s sake. The sūrah states clearly that what they give is indeed a means to give them what they wish of being close to God: “It shall certainly be for them a means of drawing near to God.” (Verse 99) They are further given the news of an even happier destiny as a certain promise by God: “God will admit them to His grace.” (Verse 99) Again mercy is described in rather concrete terms to set it in contrast with the `evil turn’. Mercy is described here as if it is a house into which they are admitted. “God is Much forgiving, Merciful.” (Verse 99) He accepts repentance and charity. He forgives past sins and bestows His mercy on those who seek it.

Overview (Verses 98 - 99)

The Gap Separating Faith and Hypocrisy

Having given a general description of the desert Arabs, the sūrah classifies them further on the basis of what changes in their characteristics the faith has produced, and the gap that has emerged between hearts that have experienced the happiness generated by faith and those that remained unbelieving, hypocritical. This description is drawn against the background of the situation of the Muslim community at that time: “Some desert Arabs regard what they may spend [for God’s cause] as a loss, and wait for some misfortune to befall you. The evil turn of fortune will be theirs. God hears all and knows all.” (Verse 98) Most probably the hypocrites among the desert people are mentioned first in order to group them with the hypocrites in Madinah who were the subject of discussion in the previous passage. This complements the discussion of hypocrites from both areas.

“Some desert Arabs regard what they may spend [for God’s cause] as a loss.” (Verse 98) Such a person needs to give some of his money in zakāt and to contribute to the jihād campaigns. In this way he gives evidence of his being a Muslim and is thus able to enjoy the comforts of life in the Muslim community. He is also able to win favour with the Muslims who were the major power in Arabia. To him, what he spends is a clear loss which he is forced to pay. He does not give it out of any good will towards Islam or the Muslims. He does not like that they are victorious. Indeed his real attitude is quite different. He “waits for some misfortune to befall you.” (Verse 98) He would love to see the Muslims return from battle soundly defeated. He would be thrilled if misfortune befell them.

Hence a supplication against them is stated here. A supplication by God signifies certainty. Hence the supplication is given here in the form of a statement: “The evil turn of fortune will be theirs.” (Verse 98) The Arabic expression describes evil as if it has a circle which closes in on them and from which they can have no escape. It turns them round and they are seized in the middle with no let up. This abstract notion, described in vivid and concrete terms, brings the meaning closer to our minds. “God hears all and knows all.” (Verse 98) His hearing and knowledge are attributes which fit in perfectly with the atmosphere of ill intention, the waiting for misfortune to befall the Muslim community, and the hypocrisy that fills their hearts, although they try hard to conceal it. God certainly hears what they say, and He knows what they hide and what they keep in the open.

Another group however have experienced the happiness and delight that come with faith: “Still other desert Arabs believe in God and the Last Day, and regard what they spend [for God’s cause] as a means to bring them closer to God and [of their being remembered] in the Messenger’s prayers. It shall certainly be for them a means of drawing near to God. God will admit them to His grace, for God is Much forgiving, Merciful.” (Verse 99) What motivates these people to spend their money is their belief in God and the Day of Judgement. They have no fear of people, and they feel no need to flatter those in power. They make no calculation of profit and loss which they are likely to make in this world.

This group of believers wish that what they spend of their wealth will bring them closer to God and are eager to be remembered in the Prophet’s prayers. That remembrance would demonstrate that he is pleased with them. His prayers are certainly answered by God as he devotes them to believers who spend their money for God’s sake. The sūrah states clearly that what they give is indeed a means to give them what they wish of being close to God: “It shall certainly be for them a means of drawing near to God.” (Verse 99) They are further given the news of an even happier destiny as a certain promise by God: “God will admit them to His grace.” (Verse 99) Again mercy is described in rather concrete terms to set it in contrast with the `evil turn’. Mercy is described here as if it is a house into which they are admitted. “God is Much forgiving, Merciful.” (Verse 99) He accepts repentance and charity. He forgives past sins and bestows His mercy on those who seek it.