[977] Yakhtānūn anfusahum: they betray their own persons by intentionally being treacherous (cf. al-Ṭabarī, al-Saʿdī). This command is not exclusive to the Prophet (ﷺ), but it entails all those who follow the commands of God; traitors are to be found everywhere throughout time. Although he is the most perfect and just of all humans, the Prophet (ﷺ) is addressed here so as to heighten the effect of the warning against this trait, a trait which is common among rulers, they being human (cf. Riḍā).
[978] Such as forging a defence that vindicates the culprit and incriminates the innocent. (al-Ṭabarī, al-Wāḥidī, al-Saʿdī)
[979] God knows all about their stratagems. He keeps a record of everything and they will eventually be held accountable. (al-Ṭabarī, al-Wāḥidī, al-Saʿdī)
[980] In other words: “Assuming that you Believers argue on their behalf in this worldly life…”. (Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī)
[981] Sū’ includes, as in this instance, all sins both major and minor. It is called sū’ (lit. ill/bad/unpleasant) because it is a bad deed which rebounds back on the committer with a punishment that he will not be pleased with. (al-Saʿdī, Ibn ʿĀshūr)
[982] By earning what he deserves God’s Punishment for, such as sinning and Associating with God. (al-Ṭabarī, al-Saʿdī)
[983] “No burdened soul will bear the burden of another: even if a heavily laden soul should cry for help, none of its load will be carried, not even by a close relative.” (35: 18)
[984] Khaṭī’ah is an unintended misdeed, while ithm is an intended one. (al-Ṭabarī, al-Rāzī, al-ʿAskarī; al-Furūq al-Lughawiyyah)
[985] By exposing the traitors to the Prophet (ﷺ). (al-Ṭabarī, al-Wāḥidī, al-Saʿdī)
[986] The Sunnah and knowledge of the intricacies of the rulings of Islam. (al-Ṭabarī, al-Wāḥidī, al-Saʿdī)
[987] Cf. 28: 86; 29: 48; 42: 52, and 93: 7.