(And as for those who chose) built (a place of worship) the reference here is to 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy, Jadd Ibn Qays, Mu'attib Ibn Qushayr and their friends, who were about 17 in number, (out of opposition) out of harm for the believers (and disbelief) in their hearts; standing firm in their disbelief, i.e. hypocrisy, (and in order to cause dissent among the believers) such that a party of the believers performed their prayers in their mosque and a party in the Mosque of the Messenger, (and as an outpost) waiting (for those who warred against Allah and His messenger) for those who disbelieved in Allah and his Messenger (aforetime) before them, referring here to Abu 'Amir, the monk, whom the Prophet (pbuh) called a sinner [fasiq], (they will surely swear: We purposed) by building the mosque (naught save good) save good for the believers so that those who miss the prayer in Quba' Mosque can pray therein. (Allah beareth witness) Allah knows (that they verily are liars) in their oaths.
- 9:107107
وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مَسْجِدًا ضِرَارًا وَكُفْرًا وَتَفْرِيقًا بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَإِرْصَادًا لِمَنْ حَارَبَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ مِنْ قَبْلُ ۚ وَلَيَحْلِفُنَّ إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلَّا الْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ
There are those who built a mosque on opposition and disbelief, and to cause rifts among the faithful, and to serve as an outpost for those who have warred against God and His Apostle before this. Yet they will surely swear: "We had only meant well." But God is witness that they are liars.
- common.revelation-Medinan
- common.hizb : 81