Surah At Tawbah Tafseer

Moderately criticizing the Prophet for allowing the Hypocrites to stay behind

Allah says;

عَفَا اللّهُ عَنكَ لِمَ أَذِنتَ لَهُمْ

May Allah forgive you. Why did you grant them leave,

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Awn said,

"Have you heard criticism softer than this, starting with forgiveness before criticism,"

Muwarriq Al-Ijli and others said similarly.

Qatadah said,

"Allah criticized him as you read here, then later revealed to him the permission to allow them to lag behind if he wants, in Surah An-Nur,

فَإِذَا اسْتَـْذَنُوكَ لِبَعْضِ شَأْنِهِمْ فَأْذَن لِّمَن شِيْتَ مِنْهُمْ

So if they ask your permission for some affairs of theirs, give permission to whom you will of them." (24:62)

Ata' Al-Khurasani said similarly.

Mujahid said,

"This Ayah was revealed about some people who said,

`Ask permission from the Messenger of Allah (to stay behind), and whether he agrees, or disagrees, remain behind!"'

Allah said,

حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْ

until those who told the truth were manifest to you,

in reference to valid excuses,

وَتَعْلَمَ الْكَاذِبِينَ

and you had known the liars.

Allah says, `Why did you not refuse to give them permission to remain behind when they asked you, so that you know those who truly obey you and the liars, who were intent on remaining behind even if you do not give them permission to do so.

Allah asserts that none who believe in Allah and His Messenger seek his permission to remain behind from fighting