And if a favor befalls you; that is: victory; success; and spoils; from Allah; that is: the Most High King; to whom all things are in His hand. And since his regret is only for the loss of worldly gains; he emphasized his saying: they will certainly say; that is: in your absence; and he intervened between the saying and what is said; as a confirmation of their blame; by saying: as if; that is: as if he; has not; that is: his condition is like that of one who has not; there be between you and him affection; that is: because of his saying: 'Oh, I wish I were with them so I could attain'; that is: by participating with them in that; a great success; and that is because if he had affection, he would have said - at the time of the calamity -: 'Oh, I wish it had not befallen them; and if I were with them, I would have defended them'; and at the time of victory: 'Indeed, their honor has pleased me'; but he did not make the focus of his concern in both situations other than the desired worldly matter. And perhaps he specified the second situation with the comparison; because what is attributed to him in it is not limited to him alone as a lover; whereas in the first situation, perhaps the lover limited himself to that; aiming for survival; to take revenge; and to punish the disbelievers; and he mentioned affection because the hypocrites used to exaggerate in showing affection; compassion; and advice to the believers.