TRUE BELIEVERS AND MEN OF LOW AMBITIONS

VERSES NO. 86 - 87

      In this group of verses, the evil deeds of the hypocrites are put in comparison with the good deeds of the prophet and those who have believed along with them. In cases where strive with wealth and person is greately needed, those hypocrites who do have strength and wealth ask for exemption to stay home with the women and the weaklings:

      ``They are consented to leave with the infringers.'' The Arabic, `KHAVطLIF' which we have translated to, `INFRINGERS' is not an expressive translation, and only implies one of many shades of meanings that the word has. To extract a connotation of the word; we should know that it is a plural in the feminine gender, which may imply the women who remain at home when there is a war. So there is a sarcasm or stinging taunt in this word that may imply; these cowards preferred to stay at home with the women when there was a great need to defend their homes and hearths.

      Their hearts were indeed sealed up, so that they could not understand their foolish action in that critical and dangerous situation. Had the enemy vanquished their Muslim brothers, they could crush them in their homes and would take their women as captives!