Thus, Allah (swt) wills to expose these hypocrites who enjoyed staying in al-Medina while harboring disbelief and malice in their hearts towards the Muslims.

(وَإِذَا أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ…) (And when a surah was revealed,): It is a clear address to the hypocrites, revealing their false faith.

…أَنْ آمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ…  (to believe in Allah,): Meaning, make your hearts sincere in alignment with your tongues.

…وَجَاهِدُوا مَعَ رَسُولِهِ…  (and to fight with His Messenger): Meaning, mobilize for fighting with His messenger (saws), which is the practical expression of faith.

…اسْتَأْذَنَكَ…  (asked your permission): This means they requested permission to be excused from going to war. This is because they pretended to have faith while concealing disbelief. You’ll find them, during the call for fighting, not standing alongside the believers, as happened in the Battle of Tabuk.

…أُولُو الطَّوْلِ مِنْهُمْ…  (those of wealth among them): Those with strength and capability. So they possess the prerequisites for participating in fighting with the Messenger of Allah (saws) including physical health, an absence of diseases, strength, moreover, do not suffer from the weaknesses of old age.

(…وَقَالُوا ذَرْنَا نَكُن مَّعَ الْقَاعِدِينَ) (and said, “Leave us to be with them who sit [at home].): The one who is sitting is the opposite of the one who is standing, and standing is a precursor to movement.