CHAP. LXIII.
Intitled, The Hypocrites; revealed at Medina.
In the name of the most merciful God.
[a] When thou beholdest them, their persons please thee, &c.] The commentators tell us, that Abdallah Ebn Obba, a chief hypocrite, was a tall man of a very graceful presence, and of a ready and eloquent tongue; and used to frequent the prophet’s assembly, attended by several like himself; and that these men were greatly admired by Mohammed, who was taken with their handsome appearance, and listened to their discourse with pleasure [1] .
[1] Al Beidawi.
[b] They resemble pieces of timber set up against a wall;] Being tall and big, but void of knowledge and consideration [2] .
[2] Idem.
[c] They imagine every shout to be against them ;] Living under continual apprehensions; because they are conscious of their hypocrisy towards God, and their insincerity towards the Moslems.
[d] They say, Verily, if we return to Medina, the worthier shall expel thence the meaner;] These, as well as the preceding, were the words of Ebn Obba to one of Medina, who in a certain expedition quarrelling with an Arab of the desart about water, received a blow on the head with a stick, and made his complaint thereof to him [3] .
[3] Idem.