Surah Al Munafiqun Tafseer

اتَّخَذُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

They have made their oaths a screen. Thus they hinder (others) from the path of Allah.

meaning, the hypocrites shield themselves from Muslims when they falsely and sinfully swear to be what they are not in reality. Some Muslims were deceived because they did not know their falsehood, and thus, thought that they were Muslims. Some Muslims believed what hypocrites say and even imitated them in their outward behavior. However, inwardly, hypocrites seek the destruction of Islam and its people, and this is why trusting them might bring great harm to many people.

This is why Allah said next,

فَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

إِنَّهُمْ سَاء مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

Thus they hinder (others) from the path of Allah. Verily, evil is what they used to do.

Allah said,

ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ امَنُوا ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا فَطُبِعَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ