Page 161 - 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 )

feeling any pricks of conscience. Their stolid, discourteous, self-seeking attitude
and their surprising inner peace while displaying such immoral attitude are
typical to hypocrites.
Interestingly, however, they expect just the opposite from others. Hypocrites,
who pretend not to notice others' needs and who act in the cruelest way while
being thoughtless and selfish at full speed, are exceedingly meticulous to them-
selves. They want everyone to be careful, polite, tactful, self-giving and attentive
to them. If they happen to see a minute mistake in this regard, they exaggeratedly
complain about it as if they have been treated unjustly or have been oppressed.
They dramatize every tiny issue and complain about it for days.
They want Muslims to offer them the best of everything. They want Muslims
to provide them with the best of places to stay, the best food to eat and the most
developed technology to use. They want every item they have to be the most
distinguished. They demand that Muslims constantly embellish and clean the
place they live and furnish it in the most luxurious way. If there is food in ques-
tion, they expect it to be ordered from the restaurants of best quality or if there
is dress fabric in question they expect the most expensive one to be purchased.

They demand the place they stay to be spacious and have no problem with heat
or coldness.

However, the same people do not care at all about the needs of Muslims,

who have been instrumental in providing them with these beauties and comfort.

Especially, they do not do anything with 'meticulous' care for prophets or mes-

sengers who are chosen by God to lead Muslims. For Muslims, God's prophets,

messengers and pious Muslims who spiritually lead other Muslims 'are more valu-

able and closer than their own selves'. This characteristic of Muslims who hold

God's messengers in high esteem is revealed in the Qur'an as follows:

The Prophet has closer ties to the believers than their own selves... (Surat

al-Ahzab, 6)

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), hypocrites attracted at-
tention with these characteristics. While pursuing the best for themselves, they
attracted attention with their insensitive, impolite and inattentive manners when
our Prophet (pbuh) was in question. However, as it is revealed in the Qur'an, our
Prophet (pbuh) was very precious to Muslims, who loved him dearly for the sake of
God, gave precedence to him at all times, and regarded him more important than
their own lives. They made sure that best food was served to him, ensured his
comfort, safety and security prior to their own needs.

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