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yaḥdharu l-munāfiqūna ʾan tunazzala ʿalayhim sūratun tunabbiʾuhum bi-mā fī qulūbihim quli stahziʾū ʾinna llāha mukhrijun mā taḥdharūna
The hypocrites are apprehensive lest a surah should be sent down against them, informing them about what is in their hearts. Say, ‘Go on deriding. Allah will indeed bring out what you are apprehensive of.’
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah At-Tawbah – Verse 64
64 . “The hypocrites fear lest a ‘Surah’ should be sent down against them apprising them of what is in their hearts. Say: ‘Mock on! Verily Allah will expose what you fear of ”
It has been said in the occasion of the revelation of this verse that a group of hypocrites made decision to startle the Prophet’s camel in a neck of land when he was returning from the Battle of Tabūk, in a way that the Prophet (S) would be killed. The Messenger of Allah was informed of their evil decision by means of revelation. ‘Ammār and Khuthayfah were guarding from forward and backward. When they (the Prophet (S) and the strivers) reached the neck of land, the hypocrites attacked them.
The Prophet (S) recognized them and told their names to Khuthayfah. He asked the Prophet (S) why he did not order that they should be killed, and the Messenger of Allah answered:
“I do not want that others say when Muhammad became powerful he killed the Muslims.”
At the absence of the Prophet (S), the hypocrite mockingly said that he wanted to occupy the castles of Syria. The revelation was sent down denoting that they might mock whatever much they desired, and Allah would make manifest their plans. The verse says:
The Qur’ānic term /sūrah/ means the totality of the Divine verses. In technical terminology, this term has been applied for the whole 114 Suras of the Qur’ān. The hypocrites were constantly in scare because of manifestation of their own real feature and their deviations. They had understood that the Messenger of Allah (S) was aware of their affairs by means of revelation, yet they mocked him. But the way of treatment of Allah, and His promise upon the hypocrites, is that He divulges their secrets. So, you should not be worried of their stings. The help of Allah is always with you. The verse continues saying: