The Holy Quran 59:14 — Surah Al-Hashr

Arabic text

لَا يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ جَمِيعًا إِلَّا فِى قُرًى مُّحَصَّنَةٍ أَوْ مِن وَرَآءِ جُدُرٍۭ ۚ بَأْسُهُم بَيْنَهُمْ شَدِيدٌ ۚ تَحْسَبُهُمْ جَمِيعًا وَقُلُوبُهُمْ شَتَّىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْقِلُونَ

Translation

Their combined forces (of the Jews) will fight you (Muslims) only from fortified strongholds (fortresses) or from behind walls (of a fortified city because they fear fighting you in the open. This is exactly what happened when the Muslims marched to fight the Jews in Khaybar). (Although they will combine to fight you Muslims,) The rivalry amongst them is intense (fierce). You think that they are united (as they stand against you) whereas their hearts are divided (their unity is superficial and nothing to be feared). This (division between them) has occurred because they are a nation that has no (wisdom) knowledge (of the true Deen to unite upon).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The cowardly ways of the hypocrites: that is, since the hearts of these people are overawed and frightened by the Muslims, they cannot fight in the open field. They can, however, fight entrenched in fortresses within densely built settlements, or hiding behind the cover of walls and trees.

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