Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AT TAUBAH [83]

83. If Allah brings you back to a party of them (the hypocrites), and they ask your permission to go out (to fight), say: ”Never shall you go out with me nor fight an enemy with me; you were pleased to sit (inactive) on the first occasion, then you sit (now) with those who lag behind.'' Allah commands His Messenger, peace be upon him,

(If Allah brings you back), from this battle,

(to a party of them) in reference to the twelve (hypocrite) men, according to Qatadah,

(and they ask your permission to go out), with you to another battle,

(say: ”Never shall you go out with me nor fight an enemy with me...'') as an admonishment and punishment for them. Allah mentioned the reason for this decision,

(”You were pleased to sit (inactive) on the first occasion...'') Allah said in a similar Ayah,

(And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away (from guidance), as they refused to believe therein for the first time. ) ï´¿6:110ï´¾ The recompense of an evil deed includes being directed to follow it with another evil deed, while the reward of a good deed includes being directed to another good deed after it. For instance, Allah said concerning the `Umrah of Hudaybiyyah,

(Those who lagged behind will say, when you set forth to take the spoils.)ï´¿48:15ï´¾ Allah said next,

(”...then you sit (now) with those who lag behind.'') in reference to the men who lagged behind from ﴿Tabuk﴾ battle, according to Ibn `Abbas.