Page 168 - The Profound Darkness of the Hypocrite

THE PROFOUND DARKNESS OF THE HYPOCRITE

who sincerely believes in and is devoted to God. They don't approve anyone other
than themselves. They argue that there is no one apart from themselves who can
properly and rightly defend Muslims when a difficulty arises. Or else, when an

important job is to be done, they tell that there is no one but themselves to be able

to do it. In doing this, they not only try to praise and show themselves up, but

also foolishly try to insult Muslims for whom they feel hatred in their hearts.

They imagine that they can thus make their superiority felt better, and also demor-

alize Muslims by emphasizing how weak they are. In their own feeble minds, they

think that they instill a very important message in Muslims; they imagine that they

can make Muslims believe that they are indispensible, irreplaceable, uniquely

talented, very important, and special people. They imagine that Muslims will

feel in need of and dependent on them and will therefore overlook their misdo-

ings whatever evil, immorality, abnormality, and perfidiousness they engage in.

For this reason, hypocrites criticize Muslims at every opportunity. They find

an excuse at all stages of daily life to make mention of others' mistakes and defi-

ciencies, and try to emphasize how blamable they supposedly are in terms of
morality, character, culture, knowledge, and quality. All these claims, however,
are of course based on lies and slanders because those Muslims have strong fear of

God and heed their conscience in the best way. They aim to behave in the best way

in all their conducts, and more importantly even if they err, it is not intentional and

it is actually something done in good faith. However, hypocrites exaggerate and

make false additions to them, and portray them intentionally 'as if they were

made for evil purposes'.

'The criterion of right and wrong' they use in doing this is entirely what they

have learned from the Qur'an, the Muslims and the messengers who spiritually

lead them. Although they themselves do not believe in these values at all and do

not practice them - except to make a show - they use them as means by which to

criticize Muslims. In fact hypocrites do not have the wisdom and conscience to

know what 'good morals, good manners, good quality or exemplary personality'

are. Furthermore, since they are not sincere, they do not reflect on any of the ad-

monitions they make on others – which they make just to underline the fact that

they look down on Muslims. They regard themselves as superior than everyone

else. They feel free from all defects and mistakes, and admire their own minds.

They believe that there is nothing to be criticized with them and foolishly moralize

others. In the Qur'an, God reveals the state of those who keep criticizing others,

but do not live by these things, which they know to be right:

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