The Medinan sura warns believers about the treachery of the hypocrites and describes their behavior in some detail. A specific occasion on which the hypocrites tried to stop anyone donating money to believers is described (verses 7–8) and God calls on the Muslims to compensate for this by giving more of their own funds to the needy (verses 9–11).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
Do not Let Wealth or Family Distract You From Remembering God
1 When the hypocrites come to you [Prophet], they say, ‘We bear witness that you are the Messenger of God.’ God knows that you truly are His Messenger and He bears witness that the hypocrites are liars–– 2 they use their oaths as a cover and so bar others from God’s way: what they have been doing is truly evil–– 3 because they professed faith and then rejected it, so their hearts have been sealed and they do not understand. 4 When you see them [Prophet], their outward appearance pleases you; when they speak, you listen to what they say. But they are like propped-up timbers––they think every cry they hear is against them––and they are the enemy. Beware of them. May God confound them! How devious they are!
5 They turn their heads away in disdain when they are told, ‘Come, so that the Messenger of God may ask forgiveness for you,’ and you see them walking away arrogantly. 6 It makes no difference whether you ask forgiveness for them or not, God will not forgive them: God does not guide such treacherous people. 7 They are the ones who say, ‘Give nothing to those who follow God’s Messenger, until they abandon him’, but to God belong the treasures of the heavens and earth, though the hypocrites do not understand this. 8 They say, ‘Once we return to Medina the powerful will drive out the weak,’ but power belongs to God, to His Messenger, and to the believers, though the hypocrites do not know this.
9 Believers, do not let your wealth and your children distract you from remembering God: those who do so will be the ones who lose. 10 Give out of what We have provided for you, before death comes to one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if You would only reprieve me for a little while, I would give in charity and become one of the righteous.’ 11 God does not reprieve a soul when its turn comes: God is fully aware of what you do.
The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)
The Qur'an / a new translation by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem, copyright © 2004 Oxford World's Classics (Oxford University Press). Used by permission. All rights reserved.