Al-Ahzaab • EN-TAFSIR-IBN-ABBAS
﴿ يَحْسَبُونَ ٱلْأَحْزَابَ لَمْ يَذْهَبُوا۟ ۖ وَإِن يَأْتِ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ يَوَدُّوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّهُم بَادُونَ فِى ٱلْأَعْرَابِ يَسْـَٔلُونَ عَنْ أَنۢبَآئِكُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كَانُوا۟ فِيكُم مَّا قَٰتَلُوٓا۟ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا ﴾
“They think that the Confederates have not [really] withdrawn; and should the Confederates return, these [hypocrites] would prefer to be in the desert, among the bedouin, asking for news about you, [O believers, from far away;] and even were they to find themselves in your midst, they would but make a pretence at fighting [by your side].”
(They hold that the clans) 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his host think that the disbelievers of Mecca (have not retired (for good)) because of their fear and cowardice; it is also said: they think that the disbelievers of Mecca will not leave until they kill Muhammad (pbuh); (and if the clans) the disbelievers of Mecca (should advance (again), they) 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his host (would fain be in the desert with the wandering Arabs) they would wish to leave Medina because of their fear and cowardice, (asking) in Medina (for the news of you) about your situation in the Ditch (and if they were among you) and if they were with you in the Ditch, (they would not give battle, save a little) out of ostentation and seeking fame.