Surah Al Baqarah Tafseer

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ اتَّقِ اللّهَ أَخَذَتْهُ الْعِزَّةُ بِالاِثْمِ

And when it is said to him, "Fear Allah", he is led by arrogance to (more) crime.

This Ayah indicates that when the hypocrite, who deviates in his speech and deeds, is advised and commanded to fear Allah, refrain from his evil deeds and adhere to the truth, he refuses and becomes angry and outraged, as he is used to doing evil.

This Ayah is similar to what Allah said:

وَإِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـتُنَا بَيِّنَـتٍ تَعْرِفُ فِى وُجُوهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ الْمُنْكَرَ يَكَـدُونَ يَسْطُونَ بِالَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـتُنَا قُلْ أَفَأُنَبِّيُكُم بِشَرٍّ مِّن ذلِكُمُ النَّارُ وَعَدَهَا اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَبِيْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

And when Our clear verses are recited to them, you will notice a denial on the faces of the disbelievers! They are nearly ready to attack with violence those who recite Our verses to them. Say:"Shall I tell you of something worse than that The Fire (of Hell) which Allah has promised to those who disbelieved, and worst indeed is that destination! (22:72)

This is why in this Ayah, Allah said:

فَحَسْبُهُ جَهَنَّمُ وَلَبِيْسَ الْمِهَادُ

So enough for him is Hell, and worst indeed is that place to rest.

meaning, the Fire is enough punishment for the hypocrite.

The Sincere Believer prefers pleasing Allah

After Allah described the evil characteristics of the hypocrites, He mentioned the good qualities of the believers. Allah said