THOSE [hypocrites] who were left behind rejoiced in their staying away [from war] after [the departure of] God's Apostle, for they hated the thought of striving with their possessions and their lives in God's cause; and they had [even] said [to the others,] "Do not go forth to war in this heat!" Say: "The fire of hell is hotter by far!" Had they but grasped this truth! 81 Let them, then, laugh little, and weep much at the contemplation of the punishment for the evil they have committed. 82 Therefore if Allah brings you back to a party of them and then they ask your permission to go forth, say: By no means shall you ever go forth with me and by no means shall you fight an enemy with me; surely you chose to sit the first time, therefore sit (now) with those who remain behind. 83 And never shalt thou pray over any of them that has died, and never shalt thou stand by his grave: for, behold, they were bent on denying God and His Apostle, and they died in this their iniquity. 84 And let not their wealth and their children impress you. Allah only intends to punish them through them in this world and that their souls should depart [at death] while they are disbelievers. 85 [They are indeed denying it:] for, when they were called upon through revelation, "Believe in God, and strive hard [in His cause] together with His Apostle," [even] such of them as were well able [to go to war] asked thee for exemption, saying, "Allow us to stay behind with those who remain at home!" 86 They prefer to be with (the women), who remain behind (at home): their hearts are sealed and so they understand not. 87 But the Noble Messenger and those who accepted faith with him, fought with their wealth and lives; and for them only are the virtues (rewards); and it is they who have achieved the goal. 88 Allah has prepared for them gardens underneath which rivers flow, in which they shall live for ever. That is the greatest winning. 89