Surah At Taubah Notes (56-59)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

Exposing Hypocrites' Fright and Fear

(56) And they swear by Allah that they are from among you while they are not from among you; but they are a people who are afraid.

Allah describes to His Prophet the fright, fear, anxiety and nervousness of the hypocrites,

(They swear by Allah that they are truly of you), swearing a sure oath,                                               

(while they are not of you), in reality,                                                                                                          

(but they are a people who are afraid), and this is what made them swear.                               

(57) If they could find a refuge or some caves or any place to enter [and hide], they would turn to it while they run heedlessly.

(Should they find a refuge), such as a fort in which they hide and fortify themselves,

(or caves), in some mountains,

(or a place of concealment), a tunnel or a hole in the ground,

(they would turn straightway thereto with a swift rush) away from you because they associate with you unwillingly, not because they are fond of you. They prefer that they do not have to mix with you, but necessity has its rules! It is because of this that they feel grief, sadness and sorrow, seeing Islam and its people enjoying ever more might, triumph and glory. Therefore, whatever pleases Muslims brings them grief, and this is why they prefer to disassociate themselves from the believers.

Hypocrites question the Integrity of the Messenger when distributing Alms

(58) And among them are some who criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charities. If they are given from them, they approve; but if they are not given from them, at once they become angry.

(And of them), among the hypocrites,

(who accuse you) or question your integrity,

(concerning), division of,

(the alms), when you divide them. 

They question your fairness, even though it is they who deserve that their integrity be questioned. The hypocrites do not do this in defense of the religion, but to gain more for themselves.

(59) Would that they were contented with what Allah and His Messenger (SAW) gave them and had said: "Allah is Sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His Bounty, and (also) His Messenger (from alms, etc.). We implore Allah (to enrich us)."

(Would that they were content with what Allah and His Messenger gave them and had said: "Allah is sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His bounty, and so will His Messenger (from alms). We implore Allah (to enrich us).'') This honorable Ayah contains a gracious type of conduct and an honorable secret. Allah listed; contentment with what He and His Messenger give, trusting in Allah alone -- by saying; 
(and they had said: Allah is sufficient for us), and hoping in Allah alone, and He made these the indications of obedience to the Messenger , adhering to his commands, avoiding his prohibitions, believing his narrations and following his footsteps.