Quran-33:20 Surah Al-ahzab English Translation,Transliteration and Tafsir(Tafseer).

يَحۡسَبُونَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابَ لَمۡ يَذۡهَبُواْۖ وَإِن يَأۡتِ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابُ يَوَدُّواْ لَوۡ أَنَّهُم بَادُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَعۡرَابِ يَسۡـَٔلُونَ عَنۡ أَنۢبَآئِكُمۡۖ وَلَوۡ كَانُواْ فِيكُم مَّا قَٰتَلُوٓاْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا

Transliteration:( Yahsaboonal Ahzaaba lam yazhaboo wa iny yaatil Ahzaabu yawaddoo law annahum baadoona fil A'raabi yasaloona 'an ambaaa'ikum wa law kaanoo feekum maa qaatalooo illaa qaleela (section 2) )

20. They are thinking that the allies [48] (of infidels) have not yet gone, and if the allies come again, they would wish to be in the desert with the Arabs (Bedouins) enquiring (49) about your news. If they would have been among you, even then they would not have thought but a little. (Kanzul Imaan Translation)

(20) They think the companies have not [yet] withdrawn.[1191] And if the companies should come [again], they would wish they were in the desert among the bedouins, inquiring [from afar] about your news. And if they should be among you, they would not fight except for a little. (Saheen International Translation)

Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 20 Tafsir (Commentry)



  • Tafseer-e-Naeemi (Ahmad Yaar Khan)
  • Ibn Kathir
  • Ala-Madudi
  • Shaheen International

📖 Commentary of Surah Al-Ahzab – Verse 20

"They are thinking that the allies [48] (of infidels) have not yet gone, and if the allies come again, they would wish to be in the desert with the Arabs (Bedouins) enquiring [49] about your news. If they would have been among you, even then they would not have thought but a little."

✅ [48] Persistent Cowardice of the Hypocrites

Even after the enemies had fled due to divine intervention—strong winds and the unseen help of angels—the hypocrites remained in fear, thinking that the allied forces were still lingering and might return. Their hearts could not accept the idea of divine help or complete victory.

✅ [49] Desire to Flee to the Desert

Their cowardice was so severe that had the enemy returned, they would have abandoned Madina and hidden among the Bedouins in the desert, asking about the battle from afar, too fearful to face the reality themselves.

This behavior shows how disconnected they were from the mission of Islam and the believers. Their desire was to remain at a distance from any confrontation and only observe from safety.

✅ [50] Insincere Participation Even if Present

Even if they were physically present in the battlefield, they would have joined half-heartedly, merely to show face, and their minds and hearts would be absent. Their loyalty and bravery were superficial and fake.

This verse exposes their deep-rooted hypocrisy and proves that true faith is not measured by presence alone, but by steadfastness and sincerity in hardship.

Ibn-Kathir

20. They think that the Confederates have not yet withdrawn; and if the Confederates should come, they would wish they were in the deserts among the bedouins, seeking news about you; and if they were to be among you, they would not fight but little.) This is another aspect of their abhorrent attribute of cowardice and fear:


﴿يَحْسَبُونَ الاٌّحْزَابَ لَمْ يَذْهَبُواْ﴾

(They think that the Confederates have not yet withdrawn;) and that they are still close by and will return.

﴿وَإِن يَأْتِ الاٌّحْزَابُ يَوَدُّواْ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ بَادُونَ فِى الاٌّعْرَابِ يَسْأَلُونَ عَنْ أَنبَآئِكُمْ﴾

(and if the Confederates should come, they would wish they were in the deserts among the bedouins, seeking news about you;) means, `if the Confederates should come back, they hope that they will not be present with you in Al-Madinah, but that they will be in the desert, asking about news of you and what happened to you with your enemy.’

﴿وَلَوْ كَانُواْ فِيكُمْ مَّا قَاتَلُواْ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً﴾

(and if they were to be among you, they would not fight but little.) means, `if they are among you, they will not fight alongside you very much,’ because they are so cowardly and weak, and have so little faith, but Allah knows best about them.

(33:20) They think that the invading confederates have not yet gone. But if the confederates were to mount another assault, they would wish to be in the desert among the bedouins and keep themselves informed about you from there. But even if they remained in your midst, hardly would they fight.

Ala-Maududi

(33:20) They think that the invading confederates have not yet gone. But if the confederates were to mount another assault, they would wish to be in the desert among the bedouins and keep themselves informed about you from there. But even if they remained in your midst, hardly would they fight.


There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.

(20) They think the companies have not [yet] withdrawn.[1191] And if the companies should come [again], they would wish they were in the desert among the bedouins, inquiring [from afar] about your news. And if they should be among you, they would not fight except for a little.

[1191]- In their excessive fear the cowardly hypocrites could not believe the enemy forces had been defeated.

Surah Al-Ahzab All Ayat (Verses)

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