Commentary
They are the polytheists of Mecca: Abu Jahl, Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughira, Al-As ibn Wa'il, and their followers. They used to laugh at Ammar, Suhaib, Khabbab, Bilal, and others among the poor believers, and they mocked them. It is said that Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, came with a group of Muslims, and the hypocrites mocked them, laughed, and exchanged glances. Then they returned to their companions and said: 'Today we saw the bald one,' and they laughed at him. So it was revealed before Ali reached the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, that they were exchanging glances. They were winking at each other and signaling with their eyes, enjoying mentioning them and mocking them, meaning: they attribute the Muslims to misguidance. And they were not sent as guardians over the Muslims, assigned to protect their conditions, oversee their actions, and witness their guidance and misguidance, and guide them. Or it is part of the saying of the disbelievers, that when they saw the Muslims, they said: 'Indeed, these are misguided.' And they were not sent as guardians over them, denying their turning away from polytheism, their calling to Islam, and their seriousness in that.
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