Page 149 - The Profound Darkness of the Hypocrite

A D N A N O K TA R ( H A R U N Y A H Y A )

When you see them, their outward form appeals to you, and if they speak
you listen to what they say. But they are like propped-up planks of wood.
(Surat al-Munafiqun, 4)
With the statement 'outward form', the measures of ignorant people that are

'based only on appearance' such as 'wealth, flashiness, vanity, physical care,

modernity and quality' are remarked. Indeed 'appearance and being admired'
are two crucial subjects for the hypocrite. He is the one who does not believe in
God, who does not work for attaining God's approval; his most valuable treasure is
his 'body' and his 'brain' in order to use his body in the most efficient way. But as
it is known, wisdom is a blessing God only grants for sincere believers. In the

Qur'an, this truth is stated as follows:

You who have faith! If you have fear of God, He will grant you a criterion

(furqan, to judge between right and wrong) and erase your bad actions

from you and forgive you. God's favor is indeed immense. (Surat al-Anfal,

29)

Our Lord grants people a wisdom and cognizance to judge between 'right or

wrong' and 'good or bad' only if those people are afraid and beware of God with

respect and deep love. Therefore this Muslim characteristic doesn't exist in hypocrite

characters who have only weak faith in God. Their wisdom is incredibly weak. But

as a trap of God, they are unaware of this situation. Despite that, they assume them-

selves to be wiser than everyone around them. But the thing they see as wisdom in

their system is only 'intelligence', which is created as a body function by God.

Hypocrites try to get the utmost benefit from worldly desires by using their or-

dinary intelligence and body. As they don't have faith in God's eternal Wisdom and

Power, they assume that they will reach those benefits independently from God.

Therefore they consider their bodies, which are their only belonging to be very

precious. They care about their bodies not because they see it as a beautiful blessing

and favor from God or to use it in the way of God. They attach significance to their

bodies not to have health and wellness but because they care about it as an inde-

pendent enjoyment. They think that as much as they care about themselves, they
bedeck their body and present themselves as different and important people, so

they will be able to influence people deeply. They imagine this way they will be

able to win unbelievers' favor, receive their appreciation, they will be shown respect
and as a result of all these they will reach worldly positions they desire covetously.
Therefore, God informs in the verse that 'When you see them, their outward form
appeals to you'.

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