They think the companies have not [yet] withdrawn.1191 And if the companies should come [again], they would wish they were in the desert among the bedouins, inquiring [from afar] about your news. And if they should be among you, they would not fight except for a little.
Notes
[1191] In their excessive fear the cowardly hypocrites could not believe the enemy forces had been defeated.
Verse 20 of Surah Al-Ahzab (33:20), a Medinan surah, is in juz 21, on page 420 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 73 reciters.
Listen to verse 20 of Surah Al-Ahzab
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Tafsir of verse 20
Al-Mukhtasar
These cowards think the coalition conspiring to fight Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and fight the believers will never leave until they totally destroy the believers. And if it is decreed that the coalition come another time, these cowardly hypocrites will wish they were not in Madina, but rather they were with the bedouins far from it, asking regarding your news: what happened to you after your enemies fought you? And even if they were amongst you, O believers, they would not have fought alongside you except a little, so do not pay attention to them or be sad over them.
They think that the Confederates have not yet gone19. If the Confederates were to come again, they would wish that they were away in the desert with Bedouins, asking for news of you. Even if they were among you, they would hardly take part in the fight.
Notes
[19] Due to their excessive cowardice, the hypocrites could not believe that the non-Muslim allied forces had left.
They think that Al-Ahzâb (the Confederates) have not yet withdrawn; and if Al-Ahzâb (the Confederates) should come (again), they would wish they were in the deserts (wandering) among the bedouins, seeking news about you (from a far place); and if they (happen) to be among you, they would not fight but little.
They hold that the clans have not retired (for good); and if the clans should advance (again), they would fain be in the desert with the wandering Arabs, asking for the news of you; and if they were among you, they would not give battle, save a little.
They think that the Confederates have not withdrawn; and if the Confederates should come (again), they would wish they were in the deserts (wandering) among the Bedouins, and seeking news about you (from a safe distance); and if they were in your midst, they would fight but little.
They think the allies are not gone, and if the allies should come (again) they would fain be in the deserts with the desert Arabs asking for news about you, and if they were among you they would not fight save a little.
They reckon that the (allied) parties have not gone away. And in case the (allied) parties come up, they would prefer if they were frequenters among the Arabs (Or: desert dwellers) (of the desert) asking for information about you. And if they were among you, in no way would they fight except a little.
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allāh?" Unquestionably, the help of Allāh is near.
