Surah An Nisa Tafseer

أُولَـيِكَ الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُ اللّهُ مَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ

They (hypocrites) are those of whom Allah knows what is in their hearts;

These people are hypocrites, and Allah knows what is in their hearts and will punish them accordingly, for nothing escapes Allah's watch.

Consequently, O Muhammad! Let Allah be sufficient for you in this regard, because He has perfect knowledge of their apparent and hidden affairs.

This is why Allah said,

فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ

so turn aside from them (do not punish them),

meaning, do not punish them because of what is in their hearts.

وَعِظْهُمْ

but admonish them,

means, advise them against the hypocrisy and evil that reside in their hearts.

وَقُل لَّهُمْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ قَوْلاً بَلِيغًا

and speak to them an effective word to reach their inner selves.

advise them, between you and them, using effective words that might benefit them