Sūrah 63 · Medinan

How Sūrah Al-Munaafiqoon was revealed.

Where and when it came down, what it teaches, and the hadith about it — all on one calm page.

Read Al-Munaafiqoon → The revelation story
Where revealed Medinan

Revealed in the Madīnan period, after the migration to Madīnah.

Order of revelation #104

Its place in the traditional order in which the sūrahs were revealed.

Length 11 ayahs

2 reading sections in the Muṣḥaf.

The revelation story

How and when it came down.

This Madinan surah is dedicated entirely to exposing the nature and threat of hypocrisy. Its core purpose is to warn the believers against internal division and treachery, specifically detailing the speeches, false oaths, and seditious plots of ʿAbd Allah ibn Ubayy. It concludes by urging the faithful to prioritize spending and remembrance before the arrival of death.

Themes and purpose:

This Madinan surah is dedicated entirely to exposing the nature and threat of hypocrisy. Its core purpose is to warn the believers against internal division and treachery, specifically detailing the speeches, false oaths, and seditious plots of ʿAbd Allah ibn Ubayy. It concludes by urging the faithful to prioritize spending and remembrance before the arrival of death.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Madinan by consensus.

Context: The surah was revealed following a specific seditious incident during the Battle of Banū al-Muṣṭaliq (around 5 AH), where the leader of the hypocrites, ʿAbd Allah ibn Ubayy, threatened to expel the Prophet (ﷺ) from Madinah. The surah confirms the truthfulness of the young companion Zayd ibn Arqam, who reported the plot, while exposing Ibn Ubayy's false oath [4].

Chronology: It is counted as the 102nd surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Ḥajj and before al-Taḥrīm.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah is called "Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn" (The Hypocrites) for its singular focus on the description and characteristics of the hypocrites in Madinah.

Virtue: The Prophet (ﷺ) habitually recited this surah in the second unit of the Friday prayer after Sūrat al-Jumuʿah, intending to publicly warn and shame the hypocrites.

Ayah Count: 11 ayahs by unanimous agreement.

Surah Overview:

  • Exposing the essential duplicity of the hypocrites: their false declaration of faith and the fact that their impressive physical appearance belies their spiritual corruption. [1-2]
  • Detailing the hypocrites' false oaths and confirming the truthfulness of the young companion, Zayd ibn Arqam. [4]
  • Revealing the hypocrites' plot and their treasonous declaration of who is honorable vs. the lowly in their estimation. [8]
  • Warning the hypocrites against their attempts to undermine the Muslims' support. [7]
  • Concluding with an exhortation to the believers to spend in Allah's way and remember Allah before it is too late. [9-11]

Sūrah background — via the Quran Foundation Content API. Shown as supplied by the provider. We do not edit, summarise or generate it.

Hadith about this sūrah

What the hadith say.

These 8 narrations in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī are connected to specific āyāt of this sūrah — a linkage reviewed by the Quran Foundation. Open any one to read it in full, in Arabic and English.

  1. Relates to āyah1
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4900

    حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رَجَاءٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَرْقَمَ، قَالَ كُنْتُ فِي غَزَاةٍ فَسَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أُبَىٍّ، يَقُولُ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَنْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِهِ وَلَوْ رَجَعْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا‏.‏ الأَذَلَّ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِعَمِّي أَوْ لِعُمَرَ فَذَكَرَهُ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَدَعَانِي فَحَدَّثْتُهُ فَأَرْسَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ وَأَصْحَابِهِ فَحَلَفُوا مَا قَالُوا فَكَذَّبَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَصَدَّقَهُ فَأَصَابَنِي هَمٌّ لَمْ يُصِبْنِي مِثْلُهُ قَطُّ، فَجَلَسْتُ فِي الْبَيْتِ فَقَالَ لِي عَمِّي مَا أَرَدْتَ إِلَى أَنْ كَذَّبَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَقَتَكَ‏.‏ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏﴿‏إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ‏﴾‏ فَبَعَثَ إِلَىَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَرَأَ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ صَدَّقَكَ يَا زَيْدُ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Zaid bin Arqam: While I was taking part in a Ghazwa. I heard `Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Abi Salul) saying. "Don't spend on those who are with Allah's Messenger, that they may disperse and go away from him. If we return (to Medina), surely, the more honorable will expel the meaner amongst them." I reported that (saying) to my uncle or to `Umar who, in his turn, informed the Prophet (ﷺ) of it. The Prophet (ﷺ) called me and I narrated to him the whole story. Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent for `Abdullah bin Ubai and his companions, and they took an oath that they did not say that. So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) disbelieved my saying and believed his. I was distressed as I never was before. I stayed at home and my uncle said to me. "You just wanted Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to disbelieve your statement and hate you." So Allah revealed (the Sura beginning with) 'When the hypocrites come to you.' (63.1) The Prophet (ﷺ) then sent for me and recited it and said, "O Zaid! Allah confirmed your statement."

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4901

    حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ بْنُ أَبِي إِيَاسٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَرْقَمَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ عَمِّي فَسَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أُبَىٍّ ابْنَ سَلُولَ يَقُولُ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَنْفَضُّوا‏.‏ وَقَالَ أَيْضًا لَئِنْ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الأَذَلَّ‏.‏ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِعَمِّي فَذَكَرَ عَمِّي لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَرْسَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ وَأَصْحَابِهِ، فَحَلَفُوا مَا قَالُوا، فَصَدَّقَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَكَذَّبَنِي، فَأَصَابَنِي هَمٌّ لَمْ يُصِبْنِي مِثْلُهُ، فَجَلَسْتُ فِي بَيْتِي، فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ‏﴿‏إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ‏﴾‏ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ‏﴿‏هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ‏﴾‏ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ‏﴿‏لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الأَذَلَّ‏﴾‏ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَرَأَهَا عَلَىَّ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ صَدَّقَكَ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Zaid bin Arqam: I was with my uncle and I heard `Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul, saying, "Don't spend on those who are with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) that they may disperse and go away from him." He also said, "If we return to Medina, surely, the more honorable will expel the meaner." So I informed my uncle of that and then my uncle informed Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) thereof. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent for `Abdullah bin Ubai and his companions. They swore that they did not say anything of that sort Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) deemed their statement true and rejected mine. Thereof I became as distressed as I have never been before, and stayed at home. Then Allah revealed (Surat Al-Munafiqin): 'When the hypocrites come to you.....(63.1) They are the ones who say: Spend nothing on those who are with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ..(63.7) Verily the more honorable will expel therefrom the meaner..' (63.7-8) Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent for me and recited that Sura for me and said, "Allah has confirmed your statement."

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4903

    حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ مُعَاوِيَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ زَيْدَ بْنَ أَرْقَمَ، قَالَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ أَصَابَ النَّاسَ فِيهِ شِدَّةٌ، فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ لأَصْحَابِهِ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَنْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِهِ‏.‏ وَقَالَ لَئِنْ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الأَذَلَّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ فَسَأَلَهُ، فَاجْتَهَدَ يَمِينَهُ مَا فَعَلَ، قَالُوا كَذَبَ زَيْدٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي مِمَّا قَالُوا شِدَّةٌ، حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَصْدِيقِي فِي ‏﴿‏إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ‏﴾‏ فَدَعَاهُمُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِيَسْتَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ فَلَوَّوْا رُءُوسَهُمْ‏.‏ وَقَوْلُهُ ‏﴿‏خُشُبٌ مُسَنَّدَةٌ‏﴾‏ قَالَ كَانُوا رِجَالاً أَجْمَلَ شَىْءٍ‏.‏

    Narrated Zaid bin Arqam: We went out with the Prophet (ﷺ) : on a journey and the people suffered from lack of provisions. So `Abdullah bin Ubai said to his companions, "Don't spend on those who are with Allah's Messenger, that they may disperse and go away from him." He also said, "If we return to Medina, surely, the more honorable will expel therefrom the meaner. So I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him of that. He sent for `Abdullah bin Ubai and asked him, but `Abdullah bin Ubai swore that he did not say so. The people said, "Zaid told a lie to 'Allah's Messenger." What they said distressed me very much. Later Allah revealed the confirmation of my statement in his saying:-- '(When the hypocrites come to you.' (63.1) So the Prophet (ﷺ) called them that they might ask Allah to forgive them, but they turned their heads aside. (Concerning Allah's saying: 'Pieces of wood propped up,' Zaid said; They were the most handsome men.)

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4904

    حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَرْقَمَ، قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ عَمِّي فَسَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أُبَىٍّ ابْنَ سَلُولَ، يَقُولُ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَنْفَضُّوا، وَلَئِنْ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الأَذَلَّ‏.‏ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِعَمِّي، فَذَكَرَ عَمِّي لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏{‏فَدَعَانِي فَحَدَّثْتُهُ، فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ وَأَصْحَابِهِ فَحَلَفُوا مَا قَالُوا، وَكَذَّبَنِي النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏}‏ وَصَدَّقَهُمْ، فَأَصَابَنِي غَمٌّ لَمْ يُصِبْنِي مِثْلُهُ قَطُّ، فَجَلَسْتُ فِي بَيْتِي وَقَالَ عَمِّي مَا أَرَدْتَ إِلَى أَنْ كَذَّبَكَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَقَتَكَ‏.‏ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى ‏﴿‏إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ‏﴾‏ وَأَرْسَلَ إِلَىَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَرَأَهَا وَقَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ صَدَّقَكَ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Zaid bin Arqam: While I was with my uncle, I heard `Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul saying, "Do not spend on those who are with Allah's Messenger, that they may disperse and go away (from him). And if we return to Medina, surely, the more honorable will expel therefrom the meaner. "I mentioned that to my uncle who, in turn, mentioned it to the Prophet. The Prophet (ﷺ) called me and I told him about that. Then he sent for `Abdullah bin Ubai and his companions, and they swore that they did not say so. The Prophet (ﷺ) disbelieved my statement and believed theirs. I was distressed as I have never been before, and I remained in my house. My uncle said to me, "You just wanted the Prophet (ﷺ) to consider you a liar and hate you." Then Allah revealed:-- 'When the hypocrites come to you, they say: 'We bear witness that you are indeed the Apostle of Allah." (63.1) So the Prophet (ﷺ) sent for me and recited it and said, "Allah has confirmed your statement."

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  2. Relates to āyah4
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4903

    حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ مُعَاوِيَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ زَيْدَ بْنَ أَرْقَمَ، قَالَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ أَصَابَ النَّاسَ فِيهِ شِدَّةٌ، فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ لأَصْحَابِهِ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَنْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِهِ‏.‏ وَقَالَ لَئِنْ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الأَذَلَّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ فَسَأَلَهُ، فَاجْتَهَدَ يَمِينَهُ مَا فَعَلَ، قَالُوا كَذَبَ زَيْدٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي مِمَّا قَالُوا شِدَّةٌ، حَتَّى أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَصْدِيقِي فِي ‏﴿‏إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ‏﴾‏ فَدَعَاهُمُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِيَسْتَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ فَلَوَّوْا رُءُوسَهُمْ‏.‏ وَقَوْلُهُ ‏﴿‏خُشُبٌ مُسَنَّدَةٌ‏﴾‏ قَالَ كَانُوا رِجَالاً أَجْمَلَ شَىْءٍ‏.‏

    Narrated Zaid bin Arqam: We went out with the Prophet (ﷺ) : on a journey and the people suffered from lack of provisions. So `Abdullah bin Ubai said to his companions, "Don't spend on those who are with Allah's Messenger, that they may disperse and go away from him." He also said, "If we return to Medina, surely, the more honorable will expel therefrom the meaner. So I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him of that. He sent for `Abdullah bin Ubai and asked him, but `Abdullah bin Ubai swore that he did not say so. The people said, "Zaid told a lie to 'Allah's Messenger." What they said distressed me very much. Later Allah revealed the confirmation of my statement in his saying:-- '(When the hypocrites come to you.' (63.1) So the Prophet (ﷺ) called them that they might ask Allah to forgive them, but they turned their heads aside. (Concerning Allah's saying: 'Pieces of wood propped up,' Zaid said; They were the most handsome men.)

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  3. Relates to āyah7–8
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4901

    حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ بْنُ أَبِي إِيَاسٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَرْقَمَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ عَمِّي فَسَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ أُبَىٍّ ابْنَ سَلُولَ يَقُولُ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَنْفَضُّوا‏.‏ وَقَالَ أَيْضًا لَئِنْ رَجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الأَذَلَّ‏.‏ فَذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِعَمِّي فَذَكَرَ عَمِّي لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَرْسَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أُبَىٍّ وَأَصْحَابِهِ، فَحَلَفُوا مَا قَالُوا، فَصَدَّقَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَكَذَّبَنِي، فَأَصَابَنِي هَمٌّ لَمْ يُصِبْنِي مِثْلُهُ، فَجَلَسْتُ فِي بَيْتِي، فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ‏﴿‏إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ‏﴾‏ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ‏﴿‏هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ لاَ تُنْفِقُوا عَلَى مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ‏﴾‏ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ ‏﴿‏لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الأَذَلَّ‏﴾‏ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَرَأَهَا عَلَىَّ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ صَدَّقَكَ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Zaid bin Arqam: I was with my uncle and I heard `Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul, saying, "Don't spend on those who are with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) that they may disperse and go away from him." He also said, "If we return to Medina, surely, the more honorable will expel the meaner." So I informed my uncle of that and then my uncle informed Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) thereof. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent for `Abdullah bin Ubai and his companions. They swore that they did not say anything of that sort Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) deemed their statement true and rejected mine. Thereof I became as distressed as I have never been before, and stayed at home. Then Allah revealed (Surat Al-Munafiqin): 'When the hypocrites come to you.....(63.1) They are the ones who say: Spend nothing on those who are with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ..(63.7) Verily the more honorable will expel therefrom the meaner..' (63.7-8) Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent for me and recited that Sura for me and said, "Allah has confirmed your statement."

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