Page 61 - The Hypocrite According to the Qur'an

A

C
I
T
H
T THEIR ACTIONS AGAINST
E
R
I
O
I
A
N
T
S
S
N

G
A
I
E
L
B BELIEVERS
E
S

R
V
E
A s mentioned earlier, hypocrites strive to cause
A
corruption during times of difficulty and strife.
However, hypocrites’ actions against the be-
lievers are by no means limited to such situations. They pursue
their hostility and attempts to cause fitnah whenever possible.
In the Qur’an, this characteristic of the hypocrites is related as,
“... Every time they are sent back to temptation, they suc-
cumb thereto...”(Surat an-Nisa’, 91)
The most evident trait of the hypocrites with this regard is
their forming of factions to separate themselves from the be-
lievers. Interestingly though, even then, they will try to pre-
serve their reputation as Muslims, while proceeding with their
hypocrisy.
The most important reason for this being, as stated earlier,
is a hypocrite does not acknowledge his own hypocrisy. No
hypocrite would sincerely confess, “I caused fitnah among the
pious believers, I offended believers for my own personal gain.
I am a hypocrite; I do not have faith.” For this reason, although
he no longer remains in the company of sincere believers, he
forms a faction along with those like himself, and continues to
act as a Muslim. Yet, he is a disbeliever, in the true sense.
In the Qur’an, Allah relates that, after separating them-

59