﴿ لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًۭا قَرِيبًۭا وَسَفَرًۭا قَاصِدًۭا لَّٱتَّبَعُوكَ وَلَٰكِنۢ بَعُدَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلشُّقَّةُ ۚ وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَوِ ٱسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ ﴾

“Had there been [a prospect of] immediate gain, and an easy journey, they would certainly have followed thee, [O Prophet:] but the distance was too great for them. And yet, [after your return, O believers,] they will swear by God, "Had we been able to do so, we would certainly have set out with you!" - [and by thus falsely swearing] they will be destroying their own selves: for God knows indeed that they are lying!”

Why Hypocrites would not join in Jihad Allah admonishes those who lagged behind and did not join the Prophet for the battle of Tabuk, those who asked the Prophet for permission to remain behind, falsely pretending to have legitimate reasons to do so, لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًا قَرِيبًا (Had it been a near gain), booty right in front of them, according to Ibn `Abbas, وَسَفَرًا قَاصِدًا (and an easy journey), travel for only a short distance, لاَّتَّبَعُوكَ (they would have followed you.) But, وَلَـكِن بَعُدَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الشُّقَّةُ (the distance was long for them), to Ash-Sham, وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ (and they would swear by Allah), when you return to them, لَوِ اسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ (If we only could, we would certainly have come forth with you), had not there been a valid excuse, we would have gone out with you, يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـذِبُونَ (They destroy themselves, and Allah knows that they are liars.)