Qatadah said: "When this verse was revealed: 'Ask forgiveness for them, or do not ask forgiveness for them,' the Messenger of Allah said: 'My Lord has given me a choice, and by Allah, I will exceed seventy [times].' So Allah—Glorified and Exalted is He—revealed in Surat al-Munafiqun: 'It is the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them,' to the end of the verse."

Muhammad said: His saying—Glorified and Exalted is He—: 'And those who find nothing but their effort' means: their capacity. Al-juhd [with a damma on the jīm] is capacity, while al-jahd [with a fatha on the jīm] is hardship; it is said: 'I did that by jahd,' meaning: with hardship. And His saying—Glorified and Exalted is He—: 'Allah mocks them' means: He requites them with the requital of mockery.