The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

63. THE HYPOCRITES
A Medinan sura which warns the believers about the treachery of the hypocrites
and describes their behaviour in some detail. A specific occasion on which
the hypocrites tried to stop anyone donating money to believers is described
(verses 7–8) and God calls on the Muslims to compensate for this by giving more
of their own funds to the needy (verses 9–11).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 When the hypocrites come to you [Prophet], they say, ‘We bear
witness that you are the Messenger of God.’ God knows that you
truly are His Messenger and He bears witness that the hypocrites
are liars––2 they use their oaths as a cover and so bar others from
God’s way: what they have been doing is truly evil––3 because they
professed faith and then rejected it, so their hearts have been
sealed and they do not understand. 4 When you see them
[Prophet], their outward appearance pleases you; when they speak,
you listen to what they say. But they are like propped-up timbers––they
think every cry they hear is against them––and they
are the enemy. Beware of them. May God confound them! How
devious they are!
5 They turn their heads away in disdain when they are told,
‘Come, so that the Messenger of God may ask forgiveness for
you,’ and you see them walking away arrogantly. 6 It makes no difference
whether you ask forgiveness for them or not, God will not
forgive them: God does not guide such treacherous people. 7 They
are the ones who say, ‘Give nothing to those who follow God’s
Messenger, until they abandon him’, but to God belong the
treasures of the heavens and earth, though the hypocrites do not
understand this. 8 They say, ‘Once we return to Medina the powerful
will drive out the weak,’ but power belongs to God, to His
Messenger, and to the believers, though the hypocrites do not
know this.
9 Believers, do not let your wealth and your children distract you
from remembering God: those who do so will be the ones who lose.
10 Give out of what We have provided for you, before death comes to