[938] Fi’atayn two different parties who show their backs to each other, but who unite when consolidation is needed (cf. Ibn Qutaybah, Gharīb al-Qur’ān; al-Iṣfahānī, al-Mufradāt). Believers differed among themselves regarding the hypocrites: a group declared them Denying, while another was of the opinion that they were not Denying. The fact of the matter, however, was that God debased them (arkasahum, lit. turned them upside down) turning them into outright Deniers as a result of their own hands doing; doubting, rebelling and plotting against Believers (cf. Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī, Ibn ʿĀshūr).
[939] For a form of reconciliation to happen with the Believers, the ‘hypocrites’ have to redeem themselves by nurturing sincere intentions of becoming true Believers as well as making a physical move from Denial and its environs into Belief and its environs. Only then are Believers allowed to relent towards them (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn ʿAṭiyyah, al-Saʿdī, Ibn ʿĀshūr).
[940] Since they undoubtedly made their enmity clear, despite the repeated and peaceful moves the Believers made towards them, they are to be considered as warring enemies and where the rules of war apply.
[941] Believers are encouraged to honour their pledges. If a party with which Believers have a peace treaty accepts those who come to them seeking refuge, then, by extension, the treaty includes them as well (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī).
[942] Ḥaṣirat ṣudūruhum; they are greatly perturbed and this dilemma is overweighing them.
[943] Unlike the group who sincerely want peace, this group is more cunning and deceitful. To ensure their safety, they play both the Believers, by outwardly showing themselves as Believers, and their own Denying people by following their heathen ways (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī).
[944] Fitnah (trial) here is Denial. Originally it means trying and testing, which, in turn, is derived from the verb fatana, i.e. to throw gold in a fire to test its mettle (cf. Ibn Qutaybah, Gharīb al-Qur’ān; Ibn Fāris, Maqāyīs al-Lughah). That is, they readily fall into Denial when given the least opportunity. Not only that, but when faced with any test of Faith, they flounder deeper into Denial, as the word urkisū (shoved into) entails (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī).