Seeing Beyond the Mask of the Hypocrites

Early Morning Reflections

Surah Al-Baqarah: My Protection

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ ١١

“When they are told, “Do not spread corruption in the land,” they reply, “We are only peace-makers!”” (2:11)

أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ ١٢

“Indeed, it is they who are the corruptors, but they fail to perceive it.” (2:12)

Allah mentions a specific quality of the hypocrites: that they claim to be peacemakers. They set an agenda to take the Muslims away from following the Qur’an, as their focus is to tear away the believers from obedience to Allah.

• Allah’s promise is contentment and peace.
• The only way for the hypocrites to take away this contentment and peace is by creating disobedience to Allah.
• When considering social media, there are aspects of the content we see and hear that takes us away from Salaah, Ibadah, and kindness to people.
• Be cognisant of the fact that this content is carefully targeted against Islam.

There are two elements here:

1. To understand the responsibility of helping each other, or else there will be turmoil on the earth. One cannot be at war with their family members. The believer needs to build relationships with them to help and encourage them in Deen.
2. Do not take the disbelievers as friends, protectors, or helpers over the believers. Ensure there is faith in those one takes from.

We do not truly know anyone, but we truly know Allah. This is why other relationships should never override the believer’s relationship with Allah.
The behaviour of the hypocrites is that they strive to convince us they are helping and are establishing peace. However, their actions only cause mischief and break those they are “helping”.

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ ءَامِنُوا۟ كَمَآ ءَامَنَ ٱلنَّاسُ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنُؤْمِنُ كَمَآ ءَامَنَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَعْلَمُونَ ١٣

“And when they are told, “Believe as others believe,” they reply, “Will we believe as the fools believe?” Indeed, it is they who are fools, but they do not know.” (2:13)

وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِءُونَ ١٤

“When they meet the believers they say, “We believe.” But when alone with their evil associates they say, “We are definitely with you; we were only mocking.”” (2:14)

Allah wants the believers to notice the masks the hypocrites wear and see behind it, as their sole purpose is to misdirect and mislead the servants of Allah.