The Quran

سَيَقولُ لَكَ المُخَلَّفونَ مِنَ الأَعرابِ شَغَلَتنا أَموالُنا وَأَهلونا فَاستَغفِر لَنا ۚ يَقولونَ بِأَلسِنَتِهِم ما لَيسَ في قُلوبِهِم ۚ قُل فَمَن يَملِكُ لَكُم مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيئًا إِن أَرادَ بِكُم ضَرًّا أَو أَرادَ بِكُم نَفعًا ۚ بَل كانَ اللَّهُ بِما تَعمَلونَ خَبيرًا

Ali Unal

Those of the Bedouins (dwellers of the desert) who (did not respond to your call to participate in the Minor Pilgrimage Campaign and) stayed behind will say to you (by way of excuse): “Our possessions and families kept us busy, so ask God for our forgiveness.” They speak with their tongues that which is not in their hearts. Say (to them): “Who is there that can intervene on your behalf with God if He wills harm for you or if He wills a benefit for you? (Whatever excuse you offer, bear in mind that) God is fully aware of all that you do.”¹

This and the following verse are concerned with the desert Arabs who did not answer the call of the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, to participate in the ‘Umrah (Minor Pilgrimage) Campaign they made in the sixth year after the Hijrah, thinking that the Quraysh would exterminate the Muslims and they would no longer be able to turn back to Madīnah.