what you suffered on the day the two armies had met was by gods dispensation so that he may distinguish the faithful and may distinguish the hypocrites who were told fight in the way of god or defend yourselves and who had replied if we knew of the fight we would have followed you. they were nearer unbelief than faith on that day and they said with their tongues what was not in their hearts but god is aware of what they hide.
وما أصابكم يوم التقى الجمعان فبإذن الله وليعلم المؤمنين وليعلم الذين نافقوا وقيل لهم تعالوا قاتلوا في سبيل الله أو ادفعوا قالوا لو نعلم قتالا لاتبعناكم هم للكفر يومئذ أقرب منهم للإيمان يقولون بأفواههم ما ليس في قلوبهم والله أعلم بما يكتمون