Page 218 - The Profound Darkness of the Hypocrite

THE PROFOUND DARKNESS OF THE HYPOCRITE

will not bring a significant support or benefit to Muslims, and are not vital in the
spread of Islam. However while doing this, even for a little effort they show, they
want to be greatly hailed by Muslims. In order to receive this admiration, they al-
ways mention each detail of the work they did in the most exaggerated way. Their
aim is to make themselves mentioned in glowing terms and thereby emphasize the
superiority they surmise they have. However there is no tactual success that the
hypocrites do.
Despite doing beneficial activities the whole day, Muslims don't mention their
self-devotion since their aim is to attain God's approval, not to receive people's
praise. However, hypocrites expect praise even for ordinary things such as taking
their own dirty dishes to kitchen or tidying up the mess they make. Due to both
their good morals and for the purpose of encouraging hypocrites to do beneficial
activities, Muslims gush over them even for his tiniest effort. And hypocrites, whose
senses of egocentricity are continuously fondled, do some insignificant activities
of use, not to attain God's approval, but to make their selves treated well. Thereby
with this rational attitude, Muslims make hypocrites serve Islam. But as expected,
hypocrites refrain from serving and assuming an important work by portraying
themselves as incapable and untalented people.

And by doing so, hypocrites aim at discouraging Muslims with all their pretense
so that they will stay away, and say, 'Let's forget about them; they cannot do any-
thing'. When they are asked to write something, they use the most shallow and

inexperienced style so as to prevent its use by Muslims. When they are asked to

complete a task that is rather urgent, they finalize it within the longest period

of time under the disguise of an unskillful person and in the least acceptable

way. By doing so, they aim at getting rid of responsibilities to make Muslims say,

'They cannot deliver it within short deadlines; we should ask it from someone

else'. When they are asked for giving a speech, hypocrites pretend as if they

cannot speak properly or cannot think of many ideas. When they are called to

attend somewhere, they make a dozen demands and cause a lot of trouble in

order to make Muslims regret sending them there.

However, hypocrites display 'incredible talent and skill about anything that

will bring them admiration among the unbelievers'. In other words, when they

are in need of gaining the appreciation of unbelievers, 'the hypocrites unleash, so

to speak, a different person from within'. The person who was previously not ca-

pable of speaking properly, who could not write well, or concentrate on issues, and

who was not able to fulfill tasks on time suddenly is replaced by someone else who

comprehends all matters swiftly and accomplishes his responsibilities in the most

perfect manner without even need of food or sleep. Hypocrites pretend to be in-

competent and incapable about everything that is in favor of religion; however,

they become very well -disciplined and skilled when they are supposed to act in
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