Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Al-Tawbah (The Repentance) | MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPOCRISYear.” By this they mean that he listens to all people, and that he can easily be taken inby lies and false assertions. He believes anyone who is ready to swear to him, and heaccepts whatever is being said to him with a false air of conviction.They say this to one another in order to reassure themselves that he will not seetheir reality or discover their hypocrisy. They may also say it in criticism of theProphet because he believes the true believers who would report to him whateverthey might come to learn of the reality of the hypocrites and what they might sayabout Islam, or about God’s Messenger and his genuine Companions. Variousreports confirm both attitudes as a reason for the revelation of this verse. Indeed itmay be taken to refer to either attitude. As for the hypocrites, they said these wordsintending either meaning at different times.The Qur’ān uses their very words to silence them with its reply: “And among themare others who hurt the Prophet and say: ‘He is all ear’’’ (Verse 61) Yes, indeed, but whatsort of ear? “Say: ‘He is an ear listening to what is good for you.’” (Verse 61) He is a goodear, listening to what God reveals and communicating it to you as it is. In it you havewhat is most beneficial to you, ensuring a very good outcome for you. Besides, helistens to you most politely, without confronting you with your hypocrisy andscheming, aware of all that as he certainly is.Moreover, he “believes in God.” (Verse 61) He certainly believes what God tells himabout you and about any other people. He also “trusts the believers,” (Verse 61) and hebelieves what they tell him. He knows them to be true believers and he knows thattrue faith deters its adherents from saying anything false or putting up any falseappearance. But above all the Prophet is: “a mercy to those of you who are true believers.”(Verse 61) He leads them by the hand to all that is good. “Those who hurt God’sMessenger shall have painful suffering.” (Verse 61) That suffering will undoubtedly beinflicted by God on anyone who hurts His Messenger. He will not allow anyone whohurts His Messenger to escape punishment.Dreading Exposure“They swear to you by God in order to please you. Yet it is God and His Messenger thatthey should strive to please, if indeed they are believers.” (Verse 62) They are always readyto swear by God in order to persuade others to believe them. Here the aim of theirswearing is also to please the believers. This is typical of the hypocrites everywhere.They say and do whatever they want behind people’s backs, but they are toocowardly to admit to their real attitude. They will not say openly what should besaid. Hence, they try to seek every sort of cover and put on any false appearance inthe hope of pleasing other people.“Yet it is God and His Messenger that they should strive to please, if indeed they are157