وَعَلَى الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا حَتَّى إِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّوا أَن لَّا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
—and to the three who were left behind. When the earth became narrow for them with [all] its expanse, and their own souls weighed heavily on them, and they knew that there was no refuge from Allah except in Him, then He turned clemently toward them so that they might be penitent. Indeed Allah is the All-clement, the All-merciful.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 9:118
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 9:118] The reference is to three ansar, named Ka-ab ibn Malik, Hilal ibn Umayyah and Mirara ibn Rabi, who did not accompany the Holy Prophet on the expedition of Tabuk. In view of the verses which condemned such type of persons, they went to the Holy Prophet on his return and asked for his forgiveness, but were excluded from the brotherhood of the true believers and the life of the Muslim community. They were asked to wait for Allah's revelation. They wept and prayed for pardon. After 50 days this verse was revealed.