Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Al-Tawbah (The Repentance) | MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPOCRISY“Messenger of God, I have 8,000, of which I have brought you half and kept half formy family.” The Prophet said to him: “May God bless you for what you have keptand what you have given.” Abū `Aqīl came with a small quantity of dates and said:“Messenger of God, all I have is some dates of which I have brought half and keptthe other half for my family.” The hypocrites derided them both and said: “Abd al-Raĥmān only gave that much to show off; but do God and His Messenger need sucha small quantity of dates?” Other reports suggest that they scoffed at Abū `Aqīlsuggesting that he only brought his dates to remind the Prophet of his poverty.This is how they scoffed at the believers who were prompt in giving what theycould, willingly and generously, eager to contribute as best as they could to the jihādcampaign. They simply do not understand the motives of any true believer and whyhe gives willingly, nor do they understand that a believer’s conscience urges him todo so. They do not appreciate the pure feelings which respond readily to the call tosacrifice. Hence, they describe the one who gives much as showing off and say of theone who has only little to give away that he reminds others of his poverty. They thusabuse the rich person because he gives generously, and deride the poor personbecause he has only very little to give. Thus, no one who gives freely is immune fromtheir derision. They do all this while they themselves stay behind, give nothing andremain niggardly. If they give anything away, they do it only out of hypocrisy. Thatis the only motive they understand.Hence they are given the decisive answer: “God derides them, and grievous sufferingawaits them.” (Verse 79) What a painful ridicule which they will suffer. How can weimagine a few weak individuals suffering the ridicule of the Almighty and destinedfor His punishment. That is a woeful end no doubt.Never to be ForgivenYou may pray for their forgiveness or may not pray for them, [for it will all be thesame]. Even if you were to pray seventy times for their forgiveness, God will notforgive them, for they have denied God and His Messenger. God does not guide thosewho are transgressors. (Verse 80)This verse refers to the hypocrites who deride the true believers when they comeforward with their contributions and donations. Such people have a well-knowndestiny which will not change. They shall not benefit by any request for forgiveness.“God will not forgive them,” whether such requests are made on their behalf or not. Itseems that the Prophet used to pray to God to forgive those who committed mistakesor sins in the hope that they would mend their ways and earn God’s forgiveness. Asfor the hypocrites, their fate has been sealed. There is no going back, and that is for a170