Reason for Revelation: This verse was revealed in relation to Julas ibn Suwayd. One day, the Prophet Muhammad (saws) gave an address on the occasion of the battle of Tabuk. He talked about the sorry state of affairs the hypocrites were in and warned them of their sad end. Also present there was Jullas, a hypocrite. When he returned to his people, he said “If whatever Muhammad says is true, then, we are worse than donkeys”. By chance, ‘Amir ibn Qays heard the comment, he told him that “There is no doubt about what the Holy Prophet (saws) has said for it is true and you are really worse than donkeys.” When the Prophet (saws) returned to Madinah, Jullas charged ‘Amir ibn Qays of having accused him falsely. Upon this, the Prophet Muhammad (saws) ordered both of them to stand close to the pulpit after the middle prayer (al-‘Asr) and take an oath. Jullas was quick to take a false oath by Allah to the effect that he never said that and that `Amir was lying. Then, ‘Amer stood up and swore similarly, affirming that Julas did say those words and that he, ‘Amer bin Qais had spoken the truth, and he did not lie about it. Afterwards, Then, he raised his hands of prayer before Allah saying, “0 Allah, let Your Messenger know about the reality of this matter through a revelation to him.” Upon this, the Prophet Muhammad (saws) and the Muslim present there said, “Ameen.” Haven not yet the people left their places when Jibril (Gabriel) (PBUH) descended to the Prophet Muhammad (saws) with this verse up to:

…فَإِن يَتُوبُوا يَكُ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ ۖ…(So, if they repent, it is better for them,):

Julas stood up and said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, I heard that Allah (swt) may accept my repentanc!! Indeed, ‘Aamer bin Qais spoke the truth in what he said. I had said it, and now I seek forgiveness from Allah and I turn to Him.” The Messenger of Allah (saws) accepted that from him. He repented, and his repentance was a good and sincere one. Thus, this noble verse settled the matter and distinguished between the truthful and the liar.

…وَهَمُّوا بِمَا لَمْ يَنَالُوا ۚ… (and they planned a plot that which they were unable to carry out.): This is because Allah (swt) informed His Prophet (saws) of what the hypocrites conceal from him. The hypocrites had plotted to kill the Muslim who had heard their statement, “We are worse than donkeys,” so that he wouldn’t be able to disclose it. It was said that they were twelve hypocrites who stood on the heights along the road to Tabuk, intending to attack the Prophet Muhammad (saws). They came to the cliff obstructing the path, but Jibreel (Gabriel) (PBUH) informed the Prophet to send someone to strike the faces of their mounts. The Prophet (saws) then sent Hudhayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, for this task.

…وَمَا نَقَمُوا إِلَّا أَنْ أَغْنَاهُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ ۚ… (And they were not resentful except [for the fact] that Allah and His Messenger had enriched them of His bounty,): As for enrichment, as we know, it is not resentful, but its mention here indicates the corrupt nature of these people and the prejudice in their judgment. Wealth and safety, which had indeed reached them should not generate hatred. On the contrary, it was natural for these blessings to develop love, dedication to faith, and affection for the Prophet Muhammad (saws). Instead, they conspired against him. The expression ‘His bounty‘ here has the pronoun in its singular form because the giving of bounty belongs to Allah alone. Allah (swt) is not paired (in pronoun) with anyone, even if that someone is our noble Prophet Muhammad (saws). There is a related narration from ‘Adi bin Hatim:

A person recited a sermon before the Messenger of Allah (saws) thus: He who obeys Allah and His Apostle, he in fact follows the right path, and he who disobeys both of them, he goes astray. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “What a bad speaker you are; say: He who disobeys Allah and His Apostle”.

This incident reinforces the idea that Allah (swt) is not mentioned in conjunction with anyone else.

…مِن فَضْلِهِ..(of His bounty): Because the bounty of Allah (swt) is exclusively extended to the Messenger of Allah saws). All the virtues of the Messenger are derived from the bounty of Allah (swt).

…فَإِن يَتُوبُوا يَكُ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ ۖ… (So, if they repent, it is better for them.): The door of repentance was opened to them as a mercy to the community, for repentance prevents the criminal from persisting in his wrongdoing. And as mentioned, Julas repented, and his Islam improved.