In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Supreme Definitions - Hypocrites
The Hypocrites
[2:8] Then there are those who say, "We believe in GOD and the Last Day," while they are not believers.
[2:9] In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only deceive themselves without perceiving.
[2:10] In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD augments their disease. They have incurred a painful retribution for their lying.
[2:11] When they are told, "Do not commit evil," they say, "But we are righteous!"
[2:12] In fact, they are evildoers, but they do not perceive.
A Chip On Their Shoulders [63:4] .....These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.
God teaches us and sets all kinds of examples for us in His infallible scripture. His words and standards are the ultimate ones for those who wish to advance on His straight path. Believers should utter the correct utterance (33:7) and should stick to God's supreme definitions. Making up our own definitions based on our own understanding means lying about God and losing our souls to our egos. In continuation of the last two reminders, the following is a third set of SUPREME definitions but for the hypocrites:
- They repel from the path of God by spreading their doubts and ignorance after receiving the guidance and while proclaiming their belief:
[63:1] When the hypocrites come to you they say, "We bear witness that you are the messenger of GOD." GOD knows that you are His messenger, and GOD bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.
[63:2] Under the guise of their apparent faith, they repel the people from the path of GOD. Miserable indeed is what they do.
[63:3] This is because they believed, then disbelieved. Hence, their minds are blocked; they do not understand.
[33:12] The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, "What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!"
[3:7] He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses - which constitute the essence of the scripture - as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create confusion, and to extricate a certain meaning. None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, "We believe in this - all of it comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
- They forbid righteousness and advocate evil (Per 9:67 the hypocrite men and the hypocrite women belong with each other - they advocate evil and prohibit righteousness ..). So, all the standards of righteousness in the Quran, can easily be violated by them. They don't mind breaking their promises, bearing false witnesses or even concealing the truth. They are not honest or just and they hardly give back what others have entrusted to them. All this is because they are liars. Liars cheat their souls, and those who cheat their souls don't mind cheating everybody around them!
- They show off the faith while in reality God is not even in their mind:
[4:142] The hypocrites think that they are deceiving GOD, but He is the One who leads them on. When they get up for the Contact Prayer (Salat), they get up lazily. That is because they only show off in front of the people, and rarely do they think of GOD.
- They abuse the places of worship by confusing the believers. By their selective or partial obedience of the word of God, they divide communities (15:90-94, 2:85):
[9:56] They swear by GOD that they belong with you, while they do not belong with you; they are divisive people.
Masjids that Oppose God and His Messenger [9:107] There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose GOD and His messenger. They solemnly swear: "Our intentions are honorable!" GOD bears witness that they are liars.
- They are insecure because they live in fear to be exposed. They think every call or every verse will expose them or apply to them. It is a pattern that they always take everything personal:
The Hypocrites [9:64] The hypocrites worry that a sura may be revealed exposing what is inside their hearts. Say, "Go ahead and mock. GOD will expose exactly what you are afraid of."
A Chip On Their Shoulders [63:4] When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks. And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence. They are like standing logs. They think that every call is intended against them. These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.
- They waver when it comes to striving or fighting in the cause of God. Striving or mobilizing with the party of God, doesn't necessarily mean physical war or actual immigration. It's a matter of promoting and supporting God's truth:
[3:167] And to expose the hypocrites who were told, "Come fight in the cause of GOD, or contribute." They said, "If we knew how to fight, we would have joined you." They were closer to disbelief then than they were to belief. They uttered with their mouths what was not in their hearts. GOD knows what they conceal.
[3:168] They said of their kinsmen, as they stayed behind, "Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed." Say, "Then prevent your own death, if you are truthful."
The Sedentary [9:42] If there were a quick material gain, and a short journey, they would have followed you. But the striving is just too much for them. They will swear by GOD: "If we could, we would have mobilized with you." They thus hurt themselves, and GOD knows that they are liars.
[9:45] The only people who wish to be excused are those who do not really believe in GOD and the Last Day. Their hearts are full of doubt, and their doubts cause them to waver.
[9:46] Had they really wanted to mobilize, they would have prepared for it thoroughly. But GOD disliked their participation, so He discouraged them; they were told, "Stay behind with those who are staying behind."
[9:47] Had they mobilized with you, they would have created confusion, and would have caused disputes and divisions among you. Some of you were apt to listen to them. GOD is fully aware of the transgressors.
[9:48] They sought to spread confusion among you in the past, and confounded matters for you. However, the truth ultimately prevails, and GOD's plan is carried out, in spite of them.
[9:49] Some of them would say, "Give me permission (to stay behind); do not impose such a hardship on me." In fact, they have thus incurred a terrible hardship; Hell is surrounding the disbelievers.
- They are sick in heart.They wish the believers harm:
Do Not Befriend Hypocrites [3:118] O you who believe, do not befriend outsiders who never cease to wish you harm; they even wish to see you suffer. Hatred flows out of their mouths and what they hide in their chests is far worse. We thus clarify the revelations for you, if you understand.
[3:119] Here you are loving them, while they do not love you, and you believe in all the scripture. When they meet you they say, "We believe," but as soon as they leave, they bite their fingers out of rage towards you. Say, "Die in your rage." GOD is fully aware of the innermost thoughts.
[3:120] When anything good comes your way they hurt, and when something bad happens to you they rejoice. If you steadfastly persevere, and maintain righteousness, their schemes will never hurt you. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
[9:50] If something good happens to you, they hurt, and if an affliction befalls you, they say, "We told you so," as they turn away rejoicing.
- They compromise by dealing with both camps - party of God and the party of Satan - all based on personal gain or advantages:
[59:11] Have you noted those who are plagued with hypocrisy, and how they said to their companions in disbelief among the people of the scripture, "If you are evicted we will go out with you, and will never obey anyone who opposes you. If anyone fights you, we will fight on your side." GOD bears witness that they are liars.
The Hypocrites [4:141] They watch you and wait; if you attain victory from GOD, they say (to you), "Were we not with you?" But if the disbelievers get a turn, they say (to them), "Did we not side with you, and protect you from the believers?" GOD will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection. GOD will never permit the disbelievers to prevail over the believers.
[9:58] Some of them criticize your distribution of the charities; if they are given therefrom, they become satisfied, but if they are not given therefrom, they become objectors.
- They insult, attack or persecute the believers:
[33:60] Unless the hypocrites, and those with disease in their hearts, and the vicious liars of the city refrain (from persecuting you), we will surely grant you the upper hand, then they will be forced to leave within a short while.
[33:61] They have incurred condemnation wherever they go; (unless they stop attacking you,) they may be taken and killed.
- They mock and ridicule the word of God or the believers publicly and secretly:
[4:140] He has instructed you in the scripture that: if you hear GOD's revelations being mocked and ridiculed, you shall not sit with them, unless they delve into another subject. Otherwise, you will be as guilty as they are. GOD will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers together in Hell.
[2:14] When they meet the believers, they say, "We believe," but when alone with their devils, they say, "We are with you; we were only mocking."
- Because they are disbelievers, they are stingy. Stinginess, as a character of disbelief, isn't necessarily linked only with money. It could be associated with any kind of provision God has bestowed upon us such as input/feedback, knowledge, time, efforts or support. The following verses are with no doubt, a typical description of the hypocrites:
[4:37] The ones who are stingy, exhort the people to be stingy, and conceal what GOD has bestowed upon them from His bounties. We have prepared for the disbelievers a shameful retribution.
[4:38] They give money to charity only to show off, while disbelieving in GOD and the Last Day. If one's companion is the devil, that is the worst companion.
[4:39] Why do they not believe in GOD and the Last Day, and give from GOD's provisions to them? GOD is fully aware of them.
[9:67] The hypocrite men and the hypocrite women belong with each other - they advocate evil and prohibit righteousness, and they are stingy. They forgot GOD, so He forgot them. The hypocrites are truly wicked.
[9:75] Some of them even pledged: "If GOD showered us with His grace, we would be charitable, and would lead a righteous life."
[9:76] But when He did shower them with His provisions, they became stingy, and turned away in aversion.
[9:77] Consequently, He plagued them with hypocrisy in their hearts, till the day they meet Him. This is because they broke their promises to GOD, and because of their lying.
[9:78] Do they not realize that GOD knows their secrets, and their conspiracies, and that GOD is the Knower of all secrets?
Our salvation has been set for us by the Most Merciful, and our intelligence or ignorance will make us either judge those real enemies of God or foolishly sink in the darkness of conjecture and doubts. God didn't add all these characteristics about them to His book or called chapter 63 by their name without a reason. [3:118]..... We thus clarify the revelations for you, if you understand. [16:90] ... He enlightens you, that you may take heed.
God insists on exposing them to us by stating all the above characters. We're obligated to judge the enemies of God. Being stern with them, and dissociating from them is a command for our salvation - souls and communities:
You Shall Be Stern With the Disbelievers [9:73] O you prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern in dealing with them. Their destiny is Hell; what a miserable abode!
[33:48] Do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites, disregard their insults, and put your trust in GOD; GOD suffices as an advocate.
How to Deal With the Hypocrites
[4:88] Why should you divide yourselves into two groups regarding hypocrites (among you)? GOD is the one who condemned them because of their own behavior. Do you want to guide those who are sent astray by GOD? Whomever GOD sends astray, you can never find a way to guide them.
[4:89] They wish that you disbelieve as they have disbelieved, then you become equal. Do not consider them friends, unless they mobilize along with you in the cause of GOD. If they turn against you, you shall fight them, and you may kill them when you encounter them in war. You shall not accept them as friends, or allies.
Do Not Defend the Transgressors
[4:107] Do not argue on behalf of those who have wronged their own souls; GOD does not love any betrayer, guilty.
[4:108] They hide from the people, and do not care to hide from GOD, though He is with them as they harbor ideas He dislikes. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
You Do Not Help Them by Being "Nice"
[4:109] Here you are arguing on their behalf in this world; who is going to argue with GOD on their behalf on the Day of Resurrection? Who is going to be their advocate?
Masjids that Oppose God and His Messenger
[9:107] There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose GOD and His messenger. They solemnly swear: "Our intentions are honorable!" GOD bears witness that they are liars.
Do Not Pray in Those Masjids
[9:108] You shall never pray in such a masjid. A masjid that is established on the basis of righteousness from the first day is more worthy of your praying therein. In it, there are people who love to be purified. GOD loves those who purify themselves.
God has promised to expose the hypocrites and has promised the believers the upper hand. But we cannot expect God's victory by committing apathy towards the real enemies of God! We will not earn God's support unless we support Him (47:7.)
[4:141].... GOD will never permit the disbelievers to prevail over the believers.
[29:11] GOD will most certainly distinguish those who believe, and He will most certainly expose the hypocrites.
The System
[22:52] We did not send before you any messenger, nor a prophet, without having the devil interfere in his wishes. GOD then nullifies what the devil has done. GOD perfects His revelations. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
The Hypocrites Drop Out
[22:53] He thus sets up the devil's scheme as a test for those who harbor doubts in their hearts, and those whose hearts are hardened. The wicked must remain with the opposition.
[22:54] Those who are blessed with knowledge will recognize the truth from your Lord, then believe in it, and their hearts will readily accept it. Most assuredly, GOD guides the believers in the right path.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.