(…وَلَوْ أَرَادُوا الْخُرُوجَ لَأَعَدُّوا لَهُ عُدَّةً…) (And if they had intended to go forth, they would have prepared for it [some] preparation,): If those who sought permission from the Prophet (saws) had really wished to set out for fighting, they would have prepared themselves for the battle. However, they did not do so.

…وَلَٰكِن كَرِهَ اللَّهُ انبِعَاثَهُمْ…)) (But Allah disliked their being sent,): What is the reason? Because they would have been a burden and a source of harm to the believers. The movement of hypocrisy would have weakened the cohesion of the believers.

(…فَثَبَّطَهُمْ…) (So, He kept them back,): It means: Their movement was made restricted, thus they did not desire to engage in any action or participate in the Jihad.

…وَقِيلَ اقْعُدُوا مَعَ الْقَاعِدِينَ)) (And they were told, “Remain [behind] with those who remain.): The phrase “They were told” is in the passive form, so who said to them that? The answer is: It could be the devils whispered to them, and it could also be from their hypocrite friends. It could also be that the Prophet (saws) was the one who said to them, “Sit with those who stay behind.” It could have come from various sources, but each one might have said it for a different reason. However, the result was that they stayed behind and did not set out in the fight against the Romans in the Battle of Tabuk alongside the Prophet (saws).