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However, the person who argues the case in this manner doesn’t realize that
most of the leaders of disbelief know the truth, but did not abide by it for some
lame excuse, as Allah said about them : “They have exchanged the signs of
Allah for a paltry price and turned people away from His way. Indeed it is
evil what they do.” [9:9]
Likewise, whoever displays Tawheed openly in public but does not understand
it and believe in it in his heart is a hypocrite. He is considered worse than an
outright disbeliever, as proven by the saying of Allah : “The hypocrites are in the
lowest dregs of Hellfire. And you will not find for them any helper.” [4:145]
This issue becomes crystal clear if you think about what was said by the people
of before. Some of them knew the truth yet did not follow it due to the fear of
losing their worldly possessions, like Qaaroon, fear of losing their worldly status,
like Haamaan, or fear of losing their dominion and authority, like the Pharaoh.
You will also see those who outwardly conform to Tawheed, yet they do not
believe inwardly, like the hypocrites. If you could ask them what they actually
believe in their hearts, they would not know.
It is crucial here to understand two verses of the Book of Allah (): The first
verse is one that has proceeded, the saying of Allah : “Say: ‘Is it Allah and His
verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?’ Make no excuse. You have
disbelieved after your belief.” [9:64-65]
If some of those who went out to fight against the Byzantines with the Prophet
() disbelieved by some words they emitted from their mouths in jest, it becomes
clear that someone who speaks words of disbelief or acts according to them due to
the fear of losing property, status or dominion and authority, or does so for the sake
of sweet talking someone is committing a more heinous act of shirk.
The reason for this is that the person who says something in jest does not
usually believe in what he says, but rather he says it for the sake of amusing
other people. On the other hand, the person who says or does disbelief fearing
or desiring some created thing or creature, has believed truthfully in the promise
of the Satan, as Allah informs us : “The Satan promises you poverty and
bids you to do viledeeds.” [2:268]
…and feared his punishment, as Allah informs us : “That is only the Satan who
strikes fear into his followers.” [3:175]
This person also does not believe and does not fear the promise of Allah : “…and
Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and abundance." [2:268]
“Do not fear them (i.e. the Satan and his followers) but fear Me.” [5:3]
Is a person whose condition is as mentioned above, to be affiliated to the friends
and allies of Allah or to the friends and allies of the Satan?
The second verse is the saying of Allah, “Whoever disbelieves in Allah after
his belief - except for one who is coerced while his heart is secure in faith.
But those who open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allah
and for them is a grievous punishment. That is because they preferred the
life of this world over the Hereafter and that Allah does not guide the
disbelieving people.” [16:106]