[2214] Although the pious among the Arab nomads are commendable, it is not their example that is to be emulated but that of the bastion of pure Faith; the earliest Believers (cf. Ibn ʿĀshūr). They are society’s best elements; the first to outrun all people to embrace Faith among those who left their own kith and kin, their worldly possessions and hometowns, and those who unreservedly welcomed and provided a safe haven to the Messenger (ﷺ) and a springboard for the call, and rallied with all their will around it (cf. al-Ṭabarī, al-Baghawī, al-Saʿdī): “The poor Immigrants who were driven from their homes and possessions, who seek a Favor from Allah and Pleasure, those who support Allah and His Messenger – these are the ones who are true – ˹shall have a share˺. *And those who occupied the land and Belief before them love those who immigrated to them and find in their breasts no need for that which they were given. They prefer others over themselves, even if they be impoverished. And whosoever is shielded from the avarice of his soul, it is they who shall prosper” (59: 8-9).
[2215] “The ones who came after them say: “Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and do not place any ill-will in our hearts concerning those who Believe. Our Lord, Indeed You are Ever Gracious, Most Merciful!”” (59: 10).
[2216] These by contrast are society’s worst elements (cf. Riḍā). Shown over the past passages were four segments: two are the truly Believing among the Madinah dwellers and the herds people and two are the hypocritical among the Madinah dwellers and the herds people. Then the two Believing were joined together (Ayas 99-100) and now the two hypocritical are banded together and light is shed on their fate (cf. al-Biqāʿī, Naẓm al-Durar).
[2217] Around Madinah (cf. Ibn ʿAṭiyyah, al-Qurṭubī, Ibn Kathīr).
[2218] Maradū is that they have become so steeped in hypocrisy that it had become almost second nature to them; they had become so crafty at it that they were able to deceive others and remained faithful to it and would not give it up (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn ʿAṭiyyah, Ibn Kathīr).
[2219] Both on the face of Earth before they die and in their graves (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Muyassar).
[2220] In Hellfire (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn ʿAṭiyyah, Abū al-Suʿūd): “Indeed the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire—you will never find them a helper” (4: 145).
[2221] Staying behind and not joining the Messenger (ﷺ) in his campaign (cf. al-Ṭabarī, al-Shawkānī, al-Saʿdī). Admitting guilt a very long way away from being “mired” in hypocrisy and thus brings one closer to what pleases God.
[2222] The doors of repentance are wide open for them on the assurance of none but God Almighty, the All-Forgiving, Most-Merciful: ‘“Those ˹angels˺ who carry the Throne and those around it glorify in gratitude to their Lord, have faith in Him, and seek forgiveness for the Believers, ˹praying:˺ “Our Lord! You encompass everything in ˹Your˺ Mercy and Knowledge. So forgive those who repent and follow Your Path, and save them from the Punishment of the Hellfire. *Our Lord! Admit them into the Gardens of Eternity which You have promised them, along with the righteous among their parents, spouses, and descendants. You ˹alone˺ are truly the Almighty, All-Wise. *And protect them from the evil consequences ˹of their deeds˺; he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day You will have shown him Mercy; that is ˹truly˺ the great triumph” (40: 7-9).
[2223] Such is the extent of God’s boundless benevolence for those who draw nearer to Him and show sincere repentance. The acceptance of their alms indicates acceptance of their deeds as it shows how sincere they really are (cf. al-Rāzī, Riḍā).
[2224] Yuzakkī means to thrive, increase and elevate (cf. Ibn Fāris, Maqāyīs al-Lughah, al-Iṣfahānī, al-Mufradāt). Here it means to increase their wealth, good manners, pious deeds, and reward them both in this world and in the Hereafter (cf. al-Ṭabarī, al-Qurṭubī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī). Jābir Ibn ʿAbdillāh (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Charity extinguishes sins as much as water extinguishes fire” (Imām Aḥmad: 15284, Ibn Ḥibbān, al-Ṣaḥīḥ: 1723).
[2225] Sakan is calm and comfort (cf. al-Ṭabarī, al-Qurṭubī, Ibn Kathīr).
[2226] Now that they have been given a new lease of life with the gracious acceptance of their repentance, they are to show their true mettle and make up for the chances of getting rewards for good deeds they had wasted (cf. Ibn ʿĀshūr).
[2227] Anas Ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه) narrated: “They ˹the Messenger (ﷺ) and his Companions˺ once came upon a funeral and spoke well of the deceased and the Messenger (ﷺ) said: “It has become rightly ˹his˺!” Then they came across another funeral and spoke unfavourably of the deceased and the Messenger (ﷺ) said: “It has become rightly ˹his˺!” ʿUmar Ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه) said: “What is it that has become rightly ˹his˺?” He (ﷺ) said: “This one you spoke well of him and Paradise became rightly his and this one you spoke unfavourably of him and the Fire became rightly his. You are Allah’s witnesses on Earth”” (al-Bukhārī: 1367).
[2228] These are the ones among those who did not join the Messenger (ﷺ) on his campaign whom God did not yet relent towards (cf. Ibn ʿĀshūr). They are left in a state of suspense so that they may make haste to sincerely repent before God’s command comes in their respect (cf. al-Biqāʿī, Naẓm al-Durar, Riḍā).