``And also to make known the hypocrites....'' The incident of Ohud was also a testing means of the hypocrites, in order to disclose their evil and hostile motives and expose it to the sight of the faithful.

      It is narrated that before the encounter in Ohud, one of the prophet's companions named; IBN HEZAAM, said to IBN ABI, the chief of the hypocrites who had decided to desert the field: ``Come and fight for the sake of God; or at least defend your hearths and homes as any other citizens. But they adhered to some childish excuses that: `If we knew that there would be a fighting, we would of surety join you!''

      (Some commentators have understood this phrase of the verse to mean that their excuse was not knowing the art of fighting and warfare - TRANSLATOR'S NOTE)

      The verse also implies that there are grades for both, the faith and disbelief, which depends on man's behaviour and his earning: ``they say with their mouth, what is not in their hearts!'' They pretend to be Muslims and believers but they are nearer to unbelief. At the beginning they gave counsels of caution, but in their hearts there was nothing but cowardice, and what they wished was not for the good of Muslims but only to frustrate them, and that was manifested through their deeds when they left the battle-field and their devout brothers in front of the cruel and blood-thirsty foes! ``And Allah knows best what they hide.''