In this lesson of Sūrah At-Tawbah, verses 94-99, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf discusses how Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ exposes the insincerity of the hypocrites who remained behind from battle, making false excuses upon the Prophet’s ﷺ return. Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ commands the believers not to accept their justifications, as their deceit has already been made clear. Their repeated oaths are dismissed as meaningless, for their ultimate judgment lies with Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ, who knows their true intentions and will recompense them accordingly. The verses then highlight the hypocrisy of some Bedouins, who view their obligatory charity as a financial loss and secretly hope for the misfortune of the believers. In contrast, the passage also acknowledges the sincerity of other Bedouins who believe in Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ and the Last Day, viewing their charity as a means of nearness to Him. These individuals are promised Allāh’s mercy, forgiveness, and acceptance.

In this lesson of Sūrah At-Tawbah, verses 86-93, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf explained the contrast between the hypocrites who sought exemption from battle out of complacency and the sincere believers who sacrificed their wealth and lives for Allāh’s cause. The passage highlights the fate of both groups, with the hypocrites being sealed from understanding and destined for punishment, while the sincere believers are promised eternal reward in Paradise. It also clarifies that those who were genuinely unable to participate due to weakness, illness, or lack of resources were not blameworthy, but rather, their sincerity and grief for missing out were recognised by Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

In this lesson of Sūrah At-Tawbah, verses 79-85, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf explained how Allāh rebukes the hypocrites for mocking sincere believers who give in charity, whether in abundance or with whatever little they can. Their ridicule is met with divine ridicule, sealing their fate of painful punishment. The passage further emphasises that even if the Prophet ﷺ were to seek forgiveness for them repeatedly, Allāh would never forgive them due to their persistent disbelief. The verses also expose their reluctance toward striving in Allāh’s cause, their excuses to avoid hardship, and the divine decree that they will neither join future battles nor be honoured in death with prayer or remembrance. Their wealth and children, which seem like blessings, are instead means of punishment, ensuring they depart this world in a state of disbelief.

In this lesson of Sūrah at-Tawbah, verses 73-78, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf explains how Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ commands the Prophet ﷺ to strive against the disbelievers and hypocrites, warning that their ultimate destination is Hellfire. The verses expose the deceit of the hypocrites, who outwardly profess faith but secretly conspire against Islam. Among their treacherous acts was a failed assassination attempt against the Prophet ﷺ, highlighting the extent of their enmity. Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ also condemns those who made false oaths and insincere promises, particularly regarding wealth. Some hypocrites pledged to give charity if granted wealth, yet when Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ bestowed upon them, they became miserly and turned away. As a result, Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ sealed their hearts with hypocrisy due to their betrayal. These verses serve as a stark warning against insincerity, breaking covenants with Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ, and prioritising worldly gains over faith.

In this lesson of Sūrah at-Tawbah, verses 69-72, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf reflects on the fate of disbelievers, drawing parallels with previous nations who were more powerful and wealthy but ultimately perished due to their wrongdoing. He highlights the transient nature of worldly enjoyment and warns against engaging in vanities. The lesson then shifts to emphasize the bond of solidarity among believing men and women, urging them to enjoin good, forbid evil, establish prayer, give zakāh, and obey Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His Messenger ﷺ. Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan concludes with the promise of eternal rewards in Paradise for the believers, with Allāh's approval being the ultimate prize.

In this lesson of Sūrah At-Tawbah, verses 61-68, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf discusses how these verses expose the deception and arrogance of the hypocrites. They mocked the Prophet ﷺ, calling him overly receptive, but Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ refutes their claim, affirming that the Prophet ﷺ listens only to what is good and beneficial. The hypocrites would swear false oaths to appease the believers, yet their true concern should have been to please Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ and His Messenger ﷺ. When confronted, they dismissed their actions as mere jest, but Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ rejects their excuses, declaring their faith void. The lesson further highlights how the hypocrites promote wrongdoing while neglecting righteousness, ultimately severing their connection with Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ. As a result, they are cursed and destined for eternal punishment, their fate sealed by their own arrogance and betrayal of faith.

In this lesson of Sūrah at-Tawbah, verses 55-60, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf elaborates on the deceptive nature of the hypocrites who place their trust in worldly possessions and family, oblivious to the reality of their punishment. Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ reveals that their wealth and children will only be a means of torment in this life, and they will die in disbelief. The hypocrites falsely claim allegiance but are filled with fear, and they would run from the truth if they had a place to hide. The lesson also addresses their reaction to charity, where they show approval when they receive, but anger when excluded. The Prophet ﷺ is urged to remind them that contentment lies in trusting Allāh's provision. The verses conclude with a clarification of the proper recipients of zakāh, demonstrating the broader social and spiritual purpose of this obligatory charity.

In this lesson of Sūrah at-Tawbah, verses 49-54, Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf discusses the reactions of hypocrites when faced with hardship or success. He explains how some seek to avoid responsibility by asking for permission to remain behind, but they have already fallen into trial, with Hell awaiting the disbelievers. The Shaykh highlights the hypocrisy of those who rejoice in your misfortune, while when things go well, they are distressed. The lesson underscores the importance of relying on the decree of Allāh عَزَّوَجَلَّ and how the true believer awaits either martyrdom or victory, unlike the hypocrites who only await punishment. Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf also reflects on the rejection of the hypocrites' charitable acts, explaining that their disbelief, laziness in prayer, and unwillingness to give prevent their actions from being accepted.