53 Preface ۞ وَأَقسَموا بِاللَّهِ جَهدَ أَيمانِهِم لَئِن أَمَرتَهُم لَيَخرُجُنَّ ۖ قُل لا تُقسِموا ۖ طاعَةٌ مَعروفَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبيرٌ بِما تَعمَلونَYusuf AliThey swear their strongest oaths by God that, if only thou wouldst command them, they would leave (their homes).1 Say: “Swear ye not; Obedience is (more) reasonable; verily, God is well acquainted with all that ye do.”Some people, especially hypocrites, give hyperbolic assurances, as did the Medīna Hypocrites to the Holy Prophet, that they would do any bidding, even to the forsaking of their hearths and homes. To this they are ready to swear their strongest oaths, which mean nothing. They are asked to spare their oaths, and quietly do at least such unheroic duties as they are asked to do in everyday life. Idle words are not of the least value. God will judge by your actions, and He knows all, whether it is open or secret.