Wa idha raaytahum tu'jibuka ajsamuhum wa in yaqulu tasma' li qawlihim ka annahum khushubun musannadatun yahsaboona kulla sayhatin 'alayhim humu al-'aduwwu fa ihdharhum qatalahumu Allahu anna yufakuna
When you look at them, their exteriors please you; and when they speak, you listen to their words. They are like pieces of timber propped up. They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies; so beware of them. The curse of Allah be on them! How are they deluded!
The following is an excerpt of commentary on this ayah, from Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
Hypocrites have a graceful outer appearance and are eloquent. When one hears them speak, he will listen to their eloquent words, even though hypocrites are truly weak and feeble, full of fear, fright and cowardice. Every time an incident occurs or something frightening happens, they think that it is headed their way. This is indicative of their cowardice.
A Quranic Journal: Surah al-Munafiqun ayah 4
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