(The hypocrites fear lest a Surah should be revealed concerning them, proclaiming what is in their hearts…) [9:64].
Al-Suddi said: “One hypocrite said: ‘By Allah, I wish to be flogged one hundred lashes rather than have something revealed about us that exposes us’. Allah, exalted is He, then revealed this verse”.
And Mujahid said: “They [the hypocrites] used to say things amongst themselves and then exclaim: ‘Haply, Allah will not reveal our secret!’ ”.
Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi , trans. Mokrane Guezzou