SURAH 63 — Al-Munāfiqūn — المنافقون — “The Hypocrites”

• Revelation Order: 104
• Event Anchor: Medinan confrontation with hypocrisy (c. 628–630 CE)

Explanation:
Al-Munāfiqūn addresses the behavior of hypocrites—individuals who outwardly professed Islam but undermined the community from within. This phenomenon did not exist in Mecca; it emerges only after the Muslim state formed in Medina and Islam’s political success made outward conformity advantageous. The surah corresponds to episodes where hypocrites disrupted social harmony, spread rumors, and disrespected the Prophet, notably during and after military campaigns. Its corrective and clarifying tone reflects the Medinan reality of managing internal threats to communal cohesion.

Verse	Verse #	Meccan v Medinan	General Index
When the hypocrites come to you, [O Muhammad], they say, “We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.” And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are liars.	1	Medinan	5189
They have taken their oaths as a cover, so they averted [people] from the way of Allah. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing.	2	Medinan	5190
That is because they believed, and then they disbelieved; so their hearts were sealed over, and they do not understand.	3	Medinan	5191
And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. [They are] as if they were pieces of wood propped up – they think that every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?	4	Medinan	5192
And when it is said to them, “Come, the Messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you,” they turn their heads aside and you see them evading while they are arrogant.	5	Medinan	5193
It is all the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; never will Allah forgive them. Indeed, Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.	6	Medinan	5194
They are the ones who say, “Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they disband.” And to Allah belongs the depositories of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand.	7	Medinan	5195
They say, “If we return to al-Madinah, the more honored [for power] will surely expel therefrom the more humble.” And to Allah belongs [all] honor, and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.	8	Medinan	5196
O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that – then those are the losers.	9	Medinan	5197
And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, “My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.”	10	Medinan	5198
But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.	11	Medinan	5199