465- Al-Ḥasan ibn Yaḥyā narrated that to us, he said: ʿAbd al-Razzāq narrated to us, he said: Maʿmar reported to us, from him.

That approach to Interpretation is weak, because the people did not place their fingers in their ears out of dread of death, such that its meaning would be what he said it intends (1), out of dread of death; rather, they placed them in their ears out of fear of death.

Qatāda and Ibn Jurayj used to interpret His statement: "They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps, in dread of death," as a description by Allah—may His praise be exalted—of the hypocrites as possessing panic, weakness of heart, and hatred of death, interpreting in light of it His statement: {They think every cry is against them} [Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn: 4].

In my view, the matter in this regard is not as they both said. That is because among them were those whose courage could not be denied nor their valor disputed, such as Quzmān, whose stand at Uḥud no believer matched, or near it (2). Rather, their hatred of attending the battles with the Messenger of Allah—Peace and blessings of God be upon him—and their failure to assist him against his enemies was only because they were not insightful in their religion nor believers in the Messenger of Allah—Peace and blessings of God be upon him—so they disliked attending his battles with him, except to cause discouragement away from him (3). However, that is a description by Allah—may His praise be exalted—of them as fearing the downfall of Allah's punishment upon them for their Hypocrisy, whether sooner or later. Then He—may His praise be exalted—informed that