11 There were the believers tried and they were shaken with a severe shaking. |
12 And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts was a disease began to say: Allāh and His Messenger did not promise us (victory) but only to deceive. |
13 And when a party of them said: O people of Yathrib, you cannot make a stand, so go back. And a party of them asked permission of the Prophet, saying, Our houses are exposed. And they were not exposed. They only desired to run away. |
14 And if an entry were made upon them from the outlying parts of it, then they were asked to wage war (against the Muslims), they would certainly have done it, and they would not have stayed in it but a little while. |
15 And they had indeed made a covenant with Allāh before (that) they would not turn (their) backs. And a covenant with Allāh must be answered for. |
16 Say: Flight will not profit you, if you flee from death or slaughter, and then you will not be allowed to enjoy yourselves but a little. |
17 Say: Who is it that can protect you from Allāh, if He intends harm for you or He intends to show you mercy? And they will not find for themselves a guardian or a helper besides Allāh. |
18 Allāh indeed knows those among you who hinder others and those who say to their brethren, Come to us. And they come not to the fight but a little, |
19 Being niggardly with respect to you. But when fear comes, thou wilt see them looking to thee, their eyes rolling like one swooning because of death. But when fear is gone they smite you with sharp tongues, being covetous of wealth. These have not believed, so Allāh makes their deeds naught. And that is easy for Allāh. |
20 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. |