Page 49 - The Hypocrite According to the Qur'an

The Foolishness Of Hypocrites

fighting but establish prayers and pay alms?” Then
when fighting is prescribed for them, a group of them
fear people as Allah should be feared, or even more
than that. They say, “Our Lord, why have you pre-
scribed fighting for us? If only You would give us
just a little more time!” Say, “The enjoyment of the
world is very brief. The Hereafter is better for those
who have fear of Allah. You will not be wronged by
so much as the smallest speck.” (Surat an-Nisa’, 77)
There are some people who say, “We have faith in
Allah,” and then, when they suffer harm in Allah’s
cause, they take people’s persecution for Allah’s pun-
ishment; but if help comes from your Lord they say,
“We were with you.” Does Allah not know best what
is in every person’s heart? (Surat al-Ankabut, 10)

They Are In Conflict With One Another
Solidarity and unity is another important characteristic of
believers. Hypocrites, on the other hand, are afflicted with a
contrary. Though they all share the common characteristic of
hypocrisy, they are always in conflict with one another. That is
because, unlike believers, they have no common goal. That is
to say, they do not seek Allah’s favor. On the contrary, they all
pursue their own personal benefit, and therefore, inevitably,
their interests clash. In the Qur’an, Allah draws our attention to
this trait of the hypocrites:
… You are a greater cause of terror in their breasts
than Allah! That is because they are people who do
not understand. They will not fight against you all to-

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