﴿ وَإِذْ قَالَت طَّآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ يَثْرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَكُمْ فَٱرْجِعُوا۟ ۚ وَيَسْتَـْٔذِنُ فَرِيقٌۭ مِّنْهُمُ ٱلنَّبِىَّ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ بُيُوتَنَا عَوْرَةٌۭ وَمَا هِىَ بِعَوْرَةٍ ۖ إِن يُرِيدُونَ إِلَّا فِرَارًۭا ﴾

“and when some of them said, “O you people of Yathrib! You cannot withstand [the enemy] here: hence, go back [to your homes]!” — Whereupon a party from among them asked leave of the Prophet, saying, “Behold, our houses are exposed [to attack]!” — The while they were not [really] exposed: they wanted nothing but to flee.”

(And when a party of them) from Banu Harithah Ibn al-Harth to their friends in the Ditch (said: O folk of Yathrib!) they mean: O people of Medina! (There is no stand (possible) for you) there is no place for you in the Ditch to fight, (therefore turn back) to Medina. (And certain of them) from the hypocrites among Banu Harithah ((even) sought permission of the Prophet) Allah bless him and give him peace, (saying) allow us, O Prophet of Allah, to go back to Medina: (Our homes lie open (to the enemy)) there are no men in our homes and we fear that thieves may steal from them. (And they lay not open) and they are not without men. (They but wished to flee) from fighting.