The Noble Qur’an reveals the True Reality of the Munafiqun

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala discloses the true reality of the Munafiqun and acquaints His Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the believers about them in many verses of the Qur’an. Among that which was revealed to Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was Surah al Tawbah, which is also called Surah al Fadihah (The Exposer) because it exposes the reality of the hypocrites. Among their characteristics which Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala discusses in this Surah are:

Remaining behind and not partaking in conquests, abandoning Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam when circumstances became difficult, giving preference to this worldly life and out of disdain for fighting in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

وَإِذَا أُنزِلَتْ سُوْرَةٌ أَنْ آمِنُوْا بِاللهِ وَجَاهِدُوْا مَعَ رَسُوْلِهِ اسْتَأْذَنَكَ أُوْلُوْ الطَّوْلِ مِنْهُمْ وَقَالُوْا ذَرْنَا نَكُنْ مَّعَ الْقَاعِدِيْنَ رَضُوْا بِأَنْ يَكُوْنُوْا مَعَ الْخَوَالِفِ وَطُبِعَ عَلىٰ قُلُوْبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُوْنَ

And when a surah was revealed [enjoining them] to believe in Allah and to fight with His Messenger, those of wealth among them asked your permission [to stay back] and said, “Leave us to be with them who sit [at home].” They were satisfied to be with those who stay behind, and their hearts were sealed over, so they do not understand.[1]

Spreading slander, hatred, and discord. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

لَوْ خَرَجُوْا فِيْكُم مَّا زَادُوْكُمْ إِلَّا خَبَالًا وَلَأَوْضَعُوْا خِلَالَكُمْ يَبْغُوْنَكُمُ الْفِتْنَةَ وَفِيْكُمْ سَمَّاعُوْنَ لَهُمْ وَاللهُ عَلِيْمٌ بِالظَّالِمِيْنَ لَقَدِ ابْتَغَوُا الْفِتْنَةَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَقَلَّبُوْا لَكَ الْأُمُوْرَ حَتّىٰ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَظَهَرَ أَمْرُ اللهِ وَهُمْ كَارِهُوْنَ

Had they gone forth with you, they would not have increased you except in confusion, and they would have been active among you, seeking [to cause] you fitnah [i.e., chaos and dissension]. And among you are avid listeners to them. And Allah is Knowing of the wrongdoers. They had already desired dissension before and had upset matters for you until the truth came and the ordinance [i.e., victory] of Allah appeared, while they were averse.[2]

Finding fault in the distribution of Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, being satisfied at times and displeased at times when it comes to worldly distribution. Allahsubhanahu wa ta ‘alasays:

وَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ يَلْمِزُكَ فِيْ الصَّدَقَاتِ فَإِنْ أُعْطُوْا مِنْهَا رَضُوْا وَإِنْ لَّمْ يُعْطَوْا مِنْهَا إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُوْنَ

And among them are some who criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charities. If they are given from them, they approve; but if they are not given from them, at once they become angry.[3]

The hypocrites criticised and accused Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam regarding his distribution of charities. They will never be able to portray Islam as blameworthy when it is their view that is in fact reproachable.

Hurting Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Allahsubhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

وَمِنْهُمُ الَّذِيْنَ يُؤْذُوْنَ النَّبِيَّ وَيَقُوْلُوْنَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِيْنَ يُؤْذُوْنَ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيْمٌ

And among them are those who abuse the Prophet and say, “He is all ears.” Say, “[It is] an ear of goodness for you that believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you.” And those who abuse the Messenger of Allah – for them is a painful punishment.[4]

The hypocrites caused pain to Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam with their words by saying he is all ears, meaning that when someone says something to him or takes an oath, then Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam readily believes it. The verse rebuts that by informing us that Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is well aware of the liar from the truthful one and that he is concerned with what is best for us.

Making excuses for their tainted beliefs. Allahsubhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

يَحْلِفُوْنَ بِاللهِ لَكُمْ لِيُرْضُوْكُمْ وَاللهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يُرْضُوْهُ إِنْ كَانُوْا مُؤْمِنِيْنَ

They swear by Allah to you [Muslims] to satisfy you. But Allah and His Messenger are more worthy for them to satisfy, if they were to be believers.[5]

سَيَحْلِفُوْنَ بِاللهِ لَكُمْ إِذَا انْقَلَبْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لِتُعْرِضُوْا عَنْهُمْ فَأَعْرِضُوْا عَنْهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ رِجْسٌ وَمَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوْا يَكْسِبُوْنَ يَحْلِفُوْنَ لَكُمْ لِتَرْضَوْا عَنْهُمْ فَإِنْ تَرْضَوْا عَنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَرْضىٰ عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِيْنَ

They will swear by Allah to you when you return to them that you would leave them alone. So leave them alone; indeed they are evil; and their refuge is Hell as recompense for what they had been earning. They swear to you so that you might be satisfied with them. But if you should be satisfied with them – indeed, Allah is not satisfied with a defiantly disobedient people.[6]

Commanding with evil and preventing from good and refusing to spend in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Allahsubhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

الْمُنَافِقُوْنَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ مِّنْ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمُنْكَرِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوْفِ وَيَقْبِضُوْنَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ نَسُوْا اللهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِيْنَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُوْنَ

The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They enjoin what is wrong and forbid what is right and close their hands. They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them [accordingly]. Indeed, the hypocrites – it is they who are the defiantly disobedient.[7]

Breaking their covenant. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

وَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ عَاهَدَ اللهَ لَئِنْ آتَانَا مِنْ فَضْلِهِ لَنَصَّدَّقَنَّ وَلَنَكُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الصَّالِحِيْنَ فَلَمَّا آتَاهُمْ مِّنْ فَضْلِهِ بَخِلُوْا بِهِ وَتَوَلَّوْا وَّهُمْ مُّعْرِضُوْنَ فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًا فِيْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ إِلىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُ بِمَا أَخْلَفُوْا اللهَ مَا وَعَدُوْهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوْا يَكْذِبُوْنَ

And among them are those who made a covenant with Allah, [saying], “If He should give us from His bounty, we will surely spend in charity, and we will surely be among the righteous.” But when He gave them from His bounty, they were stingy with it and turned away while they refused. So He penalised them with hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him – because they failed Allah in what they promised Him and because they [habitually] used to lie.[8]

Criticizing the believers and finding fault at every possible occasion. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

الَّذِيْنَ يَلْمِزُوْنَ الْمُطَّوِّعِيْنَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ فِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَالَّذِيْنَ لَا يَجِدُوْنَ إِلَّا جُهْدَهُمْ فَيَسْخَرُوْنَ مِنْهُمْ سَخِرَ اللهُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيْمٌ

Those who criticise the contributors among the believers concerning [their] charities and [criticise] the ones who find nothing [to spend] except their effort, so they ridicule them – Allah will ridicule them, and they will have a painful punishment.[9]

No one was protected from their torments. If someone gave a great deal in charity, they would say he is showing off, and if someone gave a little then they would say that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala does not need this meagre amount and would mock that person!

Regarding spending in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala as a tax and waiting for calamities to afflict the believers. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

وَمِنَ الْأَعْرَابِ مَنْ يَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنْفِقُ مَغْرَمًا وَيَتَرَبَّصُ بِكُمُ الدَّوَائِرَعَلَيْهِمْ دَائِرَةُ السَّوْءِ وَاللهُ سَمِيْعٌ عَلِيْمٌ

And among the bedouins are some who consider what they spend as a loss and await for you turns of misfortune. Upon them will be a misfortune of evil. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.[10]

The Qur’an only increases their doubt, disbelief, and hypocrisy. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

وَإِذَا مَا أُنْزِلَتْ سُوْرَةٌ فَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ يَقُوْلُ أَيُّكُمْ زَادَتْهُ هٰذِهِ إِيْمَانًا فَأَمَّا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا فَزَادَتْهُمْ إِيْمَانًا وَهُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُوْنَ وَأَمَّا الَّذِيْنَ فِيْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَتْهُمْ رِجْسًا إِلىٰ رِجْسِهِمْ وَمَاتُوْا وَهُمْ كَافِرُوْنَ

And whenever a surah is revealed, there are among them [i.e., the hypocrites] those who say, “Which of you has this increased in faith?” As for those who believed, it has increased them in faith, while they are rejoicing. But as for those in whose hearts is disease, it has [only] increased them in evil [in addition] to their evil. And they will have died while they are disbelievers.[11]

Turning away, dismissing and hatred for the truth. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

وَإِذَا مَا أُنزِلَتْ سُوْرَةٌ نَّظَرَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلىٰ بَعْضٍ هَلْ يَرَاكُمْ مِّنْ أَحَدٍ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفُوْا صَرَفَ اللهُ قُلُوْبَهُمْ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَفْقَهُوْنَ

And whenever a surah is revealed, they look at each other, [as if saying], “Does anyone see you?” and then they dismiss themselves. Allah has dismissed their hearts because they are a people who do not understand.[12]

The essence of the discussion is that Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has described the qualities of the hypocrites in the Noble Qur’an reducing them to a known, rejected group whose plots were exposed to everyone.

So how can we compare these hypocrites to the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum who do not fit the description of the hypocrites and regarding whom Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala announced His pleasure from above the seven heavens and made them the best of nations taken out for the benefit of mankind?

When did matters turn upside down reducing the leaders of guidance and light to provokers of sin and misguidance? When did the cowardly hypocrites display courage like lions and suddenly become beacons of clear guidance? How can history mix up between those who dedicated their lives in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and His Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, not breaking their covenant of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and those who are only known throughout history by their treachery, conspiracy, and hindrance?

The pretension created that the hypocrites and Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum are one and the same and that there were deceptive, dishonourable hypocrites in Madinah has absolutely no basis and implies falsehood to the Noble Qur’an and the honourable Sunnah and blatant rejection of the history of the Ummah!

The Method of Conduct with the Hypocrites is a Proof of Variance

Certainly Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has created a different procedure in dealing with the hypocrites as opposed to the manner of conduct which Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has made incumbent among the true believers.

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has commanded that the hypocrites be fought, and sternness be shown to them. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ الْكُفَّارَ وَالْمُنَافِقِيْنَ وَاغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيْرُ

O Nabi, fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination.[13]

Showing compassion to them has been barred and Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has commanded that they be fought, and sternness be shown to them, whilst at the same time Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has commanded that the believers be treated gently. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

وَاخْفِضْ جَنَاحَكَ لِمَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

And lower your wing [i.e., show kindness] to those who follow you of the believers.[14]

Informing Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that the hypocrites are not worthy of forgiveness. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

اسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لَا تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِنْ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ سَبْعِيْنَ مَرَّةً فَلَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَهُمْ ذٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوْا بِاللهِ وَرَسُوْلِهِ وَاللهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِيْنَ

Ask forgiveness for them, [O Muhammad], or do not ask forgiveness for them. If you should ask forgiveness for them seventy times – never will Allah forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger, and Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.[15]

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَسْتَغْفَرْتَ لَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ لَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِيْنَ

It is all the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; never will Allah forgive them. Indeed, Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.[16]

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says regarding the time Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was instructed to seek forgiveness for the true believers:

فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَاكُمْ

So know, [O Muhammad], that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your error in judgement and for the believing men and believing women. And Allah knows of your movement and your resting place.[17]

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says regarding the pledge of the believing women:

فَبَايِعْهُنَّ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُنَّ اللهَ إِنَّ اللهَ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ

Accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.^[18]

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala forbids His Rasul salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam from performing the salat al janazah and standing by the graves of the hypocrites. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

وَلَا تُصَلِّ عَلىٰ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ مَّاتَ أَبَدًا وَلَا تَقُمْ عَلىٰ قَبْرِهِ إِنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوْا بِاللهِ وَرَسُوْلِهِ وَمَاتُوْا وَهُمْ فَاسِقُوْنَ

And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muhammad], over any of them who has died – ever – or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.^[19]

The Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam did not perform salat al janazah nor stand by the grave of the hypocrites after this verse was revealed. This was not the Nabi’s salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam practice with the believers; he was desirous to perform their salat al janazah and supplicate in their favour as it is well established from his Sirah.

Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala forbids His Rasul salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam from allowing some hypocrites to accompany him in battle and fight. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

فَإِنْ رَّجَعَكَ اللهُ إِلىٰ طَائِفَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسْتَأْذَنُوْكَ لِلْخُرُوْجِ فَقُلْ لَّنْ تَخْرُجُوْا مَعِيَ أَبَدًا وَلَنْ تُقَاتِلُوْا مَعِيَ عَدُوًّا إِنَّكُمْ رَضِيْتُمْ بِالْقُعُوْدِ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ فَاقْعُدُوْا مَعَ الْخَالِفِيْنَ

If Allah should return you to a faction of them [after the expedition] and then they ask your permission to go out [to battle], say, “You will not go out with me, ever, and you will never fight with me an enemy. Indeed, you were satisfied with sitting [at home] the first time, so sit [now] with those who stay behind.”^[20]

The method with the believers was to urge them to fight in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala and encourage them to sacrifice in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala says:

فَقَاتِلْ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ لَا تُكَلَّفُ إِلَّا نَفْسَكَ وَحَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ

So fight, [O Muhammad], in the cause of Allah; you are not held responsible except for yourself and encourage the believers [to join you].^[21]

Certainly, the contrast between the two approaches indicates the difference between the two groups and makes possible the application of these rulings and treating each group as they ought to be treated.

The blockade of the hypocrites—who lived as despised and vanquished people who did not hold any position of acceptance or leadership—persisted from the side of the believers. The hypocrites were not triumphant; instead, they were as obsolete as the trampled hoofs of the horses of the true warriors of Islam.

So how was this situation suddenly altered, that now the hypocrites—just as some deluded people claim—were in fact the leaders of the Ummah and were the influential ones who guided the Ummah during misfortune, understanding the intricate issues and passing judgements as they felt fit?

When did this occur? Subsequent to the passing away of the Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam before his pure body was concealed in his blessed grave! Have the believers witnessed a more reprehensible lie and a more wicked evil than this? Behold, the curse of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala is upon the liars.

NEXT⇒ Only the Ambiya’ (Prophets) are Infallible

[1] Surah al Tawbah: 86-87.

[2] Surah al Tawbah: 47-48.

[3] Surah al Tawbah: 58.

[4] Surah al Tawbah: 61.

[5] Surah al Tawbah: 62.

[6] Surah al Tawbah: 95-96.

[7] Surah al Tawbah: 67.

[8] Surah al Tawbah: 75-77.

[9] Surah al Tawbah: 79.

[10] Surah al Tawbah: 98.

[11] Surah al Tawbah: 124-125.

[12] Surah al Tawbah: 127.

[13] Surah al Tawbah: 73.

[14] Surah al Shu’ara’: 215.

[15] Surah al Tawbah: 80.

[16] Surah al Munafiqun: 6.

[17] Surah Muhammad: 19.

[18] Surah al Mumtahinah: 12.

[19] Surah al Tawbah: 84.

[20] Surah al Tawbah: 83.

[21] Surah al Nisa’: 84.

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