The War Between Noor & Hypocrisy

Early Morning Reflections

Surah Al-Baqarah: My Protection

مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًۭا فَلَمَّآ أَضَآءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُۥ ذَهَبَ ٱللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍۢ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ ١٧

“Their example is that of someone who kindles a fire, but when it lights up all around them, Allah takes away their light, leaving them in complete darkness–unable to see.” (2:17)

صُمٌّۢ بُكْمٌ عُمْىٌۭ فَهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ ١٨

“They are wilfully deaf, dumb, and blind, so they will never return to the Right Path.” (2:18)

In these Ayahs, Allah discloses that sicknesses of the heart which are part and parcel of Nifaaq (‘hypocrisy’). The focus of Surah Al-Baqarah is the cleansing of it.
All people have love for desires, but the only thing that will benefit the servant is cleansing the heart to such an extent that all these sicknesses are removed.

• The believer must take care to remove the desires that are a detriment to them.
• Allah wants a fixed heart. And these sicknesses are what breaks the heart. This includes things like jealousy, hatred, difficulties, and other forms of “darkness” one may harbour.
• Push ‘Iman into the heart; not just the ‘Iman that believes, but that doesn’t take away the rights of others. Negativity and bad relations with people can deteriorate one’s heart.

أَوْ كَصَيِّبٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فِيهِ ظُلُمَـٰتٌۭ وَرَعْدٌۭ وَبَرْقٌۭ يَجْعَلُونَ أَصَـٰبِعَهُمْ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِم مِّنَ ٱلصَّوَٰعِقِ حَذَرَ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ مُحِيطٌۢ بِٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ١٩

“Or those caught in a rainstorm from the sky with darkness, thunder, and lightning. They press their fingers into their ears at the sound of every thunderclap for fear of death. And Allah encompasses the disbelievers by His might.” (2:19)

يَكَادُ ٱلْبَرْقُ يَخْطَفُ أَبْصَـٰرَهُمْ ۖ كُلَّمَآ أَضَآءَ لَهُم مَّشَوْا۟ فِيهِ وَإِذَآ أَظْلَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَامُوا۟ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ ٢٠

“It is as if the lightning were about to snatch away their sight. Whenever lightning strikes, they walk in its light, but when darkness covers them, they stand still. Had Allah willed, He could have taken away their hearing and sight. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything.” (2:20)

Here is a different example of the Munafiqeen. When Allah describes the people of the past, He describes ‘Iman coming to them, and they deny it. As believers, we must work hard and consistently to bring ‘Iman into our lives.
When one feels they are going through doubt and confusion with their ‘Iman, recite the following Du’a in abundance:

يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ ٨

““Our Lord! Perfect our light for us, and forgive us. For You are truly Most Capable of everything.”” (66:8)

Allah first describes the hypocrites who will go straight into the Fire. Then He speaks about the ones who are in doubt. The Noor of the believers are instead compared to a brightly illuminated lamp, like a rising star (24:35).

• Here is a war between Noor and hypocrisy.
• When trying to achieve closeness to Allah, one must protect their Noor and stay away from Nifaaq.

The Two Sahihs record that Abdullah bin ‘Amr (RA) said that the Prophet (SAW) said:

“Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.
2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.
4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner.”

Even as believers, many of us struggle with carrying out Allah’s commands. During these moments, one should make sincere Du’a to do so; a desire to accept Haqq:

اللهم وفقني لما تحب وترضى

“Oh Allah, grant me success in what You love and are pleased with.”