At-Tawba (The Repentance)

57. “If they (the hypocrites) could find a refuge, or caves or a place to enter therein, they would certainly turn thereto, running away in all haste.”

The Arabic word /malja’/, mentioned in this verse, means ‘refuge’, and the term /maqārāt/ is the plural form of /maqārah/ which means ‘cave’. The word /madxal/ in Arabic is rendered as ‘a hidden way like a tunnel under the ground’.

The Qur’ānic term /yajmahūn/ is derived from /jimāh/ in the sense of ‘a swift running which can not be stopped’. In Arabic, a vicious horse is also called /jamūh/.

Hypocrites express faith either because of fear or because of coveting wealth and rank. The abovementioned verse refers to the first group.

A hypocrite is often frightened and seeks for opportunity to escape from the existing situation.

The life of hypocrites is always scattered and roaming about. They lead a compulsory life with the Muslims, since they are in fear from their own deed. The verse says:

“If they (the hypocrites) could find a refuge, or caves or a place to enter therein, they would certainly turn thereto, running away in all haste.”