Strive against the disbelievers with the sword and against the hypocrites with proof. [Mahmoud said: "Its meaning is to strive against the disbelievers with the sword and against the hypocrites with proof... etc."] Ahmad said: "And praise be to Allah who has granted us the ability to speak with proof in our harshness towards them at times. And Allah is the Grantor of success." And be harsh with them in both forms of jihad, and do not show them favor. Anyone who stands against corruption in belief, this ruling is established for him; he strives with proof, and harshness is to be used with him as much as possible. From Ibn Mas'ud: If he cannot do so with his hand, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then let him frown in his face. [The saying "let him frown in his face" in the authentic texts means "the man frowned" when he scowled.] If he cannot, then with his heart. [This was narrated by al-Tabari and Ibn Marduwaih from the narration of Amr ibn Abi Jundab about him.] He means by this dislike, hatred, and disavowal of him. Al-Hasan interpreted the struggle against the hypocrites as enforcing the prescribed punishments upon them if they engage in the causes of it.