(And that He might know the hypocrites) and that He might see the hypocrites, 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his followers, returning to Medina, (unto whom it was said) 'Abdullah Ibn Jubayr said to them: (Come) to Uhud and (fight in the way of Allah, or defend yourselves) and your wives and children against the enemy, or increase the number of believers. (They answered: If we knew) there was (aught of fighting we would follow you) to Uhud. (On that day they were nearer disbelief than faith) or the believers; it is also said that this means: their return to disbelief and the disbelievers was closer than their return to faith and the believers. (They utter with their mouths a thing which is not in their hearts) to corroborate it. (Allah is best aware of what they hide) of disbelief and hypocrisy.
