Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn

سورۃ المنافقون

Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn was revealed in Madīna al-Munawwara. It contains eleven verses and two sections (rukūʿ).

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismi llāhi l-Raḥmāni l-Raḥīm.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُونَ

idhā jāʾaka l-munāfiqūna qālū nashhadu innaka la-rasūlu llāhi wa-llāhu yaʿlamu innaka la-rasūluhu wa-llāhu yashhadu inna l-munāfiqīna la-kādhibūn.

"When the hypocrites come to you, they say: 'We testify that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.' And Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger — and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are truly liars." (al-Munāfiqūn 63:1)

Idhā jāʾaka l-munāfiqūn — when the hypocrites come to your presence. Who are the hypocrites? Those who outwardly appear to be Muslims but are inwardly unbelievers. This is doctrinal hypocrisy (nifāq iʿtiqādī) — and there is also practical hypocrisy (nifāq ʿamalī) — and the action appropriate to Islam is absent from them. Qālū — they say. Nashhadu innaka la-rasūlu llāh — we testify that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah. They give testimony and witness. Wa-llāhu yaʿlamu innaka la-rasūluh — and Allah knows — and He affirms — that you are truly His Messenger. The particle inna with lam intensifies — when a person responds to an assertion with fa-innahu, it is a further affirmation. The word nashhada is followed by yaʿlamu then yashhadu — and these are intensified forms. Wa-llāhu yashhadu inna l-munāfiqīna la-kādhibūn — and Allah Himself bears witness that the hypocrites are definite liars.

The detail is this: their very utterance of nashhadu innaka la-rasūlu llāh was a lie — because the word shahāda (testimony) requires that the heart's conviction accompany the tongue's declaration. Since the hypocrites' heart was empty of conviction, their nashhada was actually lying. Some scholars say: it is lying because they say we testify, and the Prophet ﷺ is truly a messenger — but the statement is false in the light of their reality and inner belief. Others say: the phrase is true in itself but it is lying because it is said without genuine conviction — and so the majority hold: the statement innaka la-rasūlu llāh is true, but the hypocrites are liars because they say it without true faith.

Translation: "When the hypocrites come to you, they say: 'We testify that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.' Allah knows that you are His Messenger — but Allah also bears witness that the hypocrites are most certainly liars."

The scholars note that ṣidq (truth) and kadhib (falsehood) differ in their definition. Some say: if someone speaks a thing that matches the reality, it is truth — even if his own personal conviction does not match. And some say: truth is that which matches the reality and also one's own belief simultaneously. A person's statement of innaka la-rasūlu llāh is true as a fact — but their nashhadu is a lie, because they declare testimony while their hearts are empty of it.

اتَّخَذُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُمْ سَاءَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

ittakhadhū aymānahum junnatan fa-ṣaddū ʿan sabīli llāhi innahum sāʾa mā kānū yaʿmalūn.

"They have made their oaths a shield, and so they have turned others away from the path of Allah. Indeed, how evil is what they used to do!" (al-Munāfiqūn 63:2)

Ittakhadhū aymānahum — they have taken their oaths — their false swearing — junnatan — as a shield and cover for themselves — a hide, a disguise, a protective cloak — so as to appear to be Muslims while doing the work of disbelievers. Fa-ṣaddū ʿan sabīli llāh — and by this they have turned others away from the path of Allah — they prevent people from the path of religion. Innahum sāʾa mā kānū yaʿmalūn — indeed, how wretched and evil is what they used to do.

Translation: "They have made their oaths a shield — thereby blocking people from the path of Allah. Truly, how evil is what they used to do!"

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا فَطُبِعَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ

dhālika bi-annahum āmanū thumma kafarū fa-ṭubiʿa ʿalā qulūbihim fa-hum lā yafqahūn.

"That is because they believed and then disbelieved, so a seal was placed upon their hearts — and they do not understand." (al-Munāfiqūn 63:3)

Dhālik — this is their condemnation. Bi-annahum āmanū thumma kafarū — because they came forth with faith then lapsed into disbelief. Fa-ṭubiʿa ʿalā qulūbihim — so a seal was stamped upon their hearts, a rust settled in. Fa-hum lā yafqahūn — and so they no longer understand — fiqh is a specific knowledge — the understanding of Qurʾānic and prophetic injunctions — they are now incapable of this.

Translation: "That is because they came forth with faith and then returned to disbelief — so a seal was put upon their hearts and they understand nothing."

وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ أَجْسَامُهُمْ وَإِن يَقُولُوا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُّسَنَّدَةٌ يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ هُمُ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ

wa-idhā raʾaytahum tuʿjibuka ajsāmuhum wa-in yaqūlū tasmaʿ li-qawlihim ka-annahum khushubun musannadata yaḥsabūna kulla ṣayḥatin ʿalayhim humu l-ʿaduwwu fa-ḥdharuhum qātalahumu llāhu annā yuʾfakūn.

"And when you see them, their bodies impress you; and if they speak, you listen to their speech — as though they were propped up timbers. They think every shout is directed against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them — how they are deluded!" (al-Munāfiqūn 63:4)

Wa-idhā raʾaytahum — and when you see them, look at them. Tuʿjibuka ajsāmuhum — their physical bodies impress you — well-built, tall in stature, fine in complexion, good in appearance and dignified in bearing — they seem solid and respectable. Wa-in yaqūlū tasmaʿ li-qawlihim — and if they speak, you listen to their words — they are eloquent, great orators, well-spoken. Ka-annahum khushubun musannadatun — yet they are like propped-up planks of wood — leaning against a wall — khashab — wood, timber — musannada — propped up, leaned, stacked. Empty on the inside. Yaḥsabūna kulla ṣayḥatin ʿalayhim — they think every shout is against them — every sound alarms them, they think it is aimed at them — because there is fear in their hearts, they are suspicious of everything. Humu l-ʿaduwwu — they are the real enemy. Fa-ḥdharuhum — so beware of them, guard against them. Qātalahumu llāh — may Allah destroy them — may the curse of Allah fall upon them. Annā yuʾfakūn — how they are turned away from the truth, how they are deceived.

Translation: "When you see them, their physical forms impress you — and if they speak, you listen to their eloquent words — yet they are like propped-up timbers. They regard every shout as directed against themselves. They are the enemy — so beware of them. May Allah destroy them — how they are turned away from the truth!"

Esteemed readers, what is the condition here? They appear attractive outwardly but they are hollow inside — like timber leaning against a wall. They think of themselves as entirely self-sufficient and regard everything as a threat to them — and they are everyone's enemy — may Allah protect us.

هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ لَا تُنفِقُوا عَلَىٰ مَنْ عِندَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ حَتَّىٰ يَنفَضُّوا وَلِلَّهِ خَزَائِنُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ

humu lladhīna yaqūlūna lā tunfiqū ʿalā man ʿinda rasūli llāhi ḥattā yanfaḍḍū wa-li-llāhi khazāʾinu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-lākinna l-munāfiqīna lā yafqahūn.

"They are those who say: 'Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they disperse.' But to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth — yet the hypocrites do not understand." (al-Munāfiqūn 63:7)

Humu lladhīna yaqūlūna — these are the people who say. Lā tunfiqū ʿalā man ʿinda rasūli llāh — do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah — do not donate or give charity to Allah's messenger or to the Muslims around him. Ḥattā yanfaḍḍū — until they disperse and scatter — hoping that the poor Companions ﷺ around the Prophet will abandon him and leave. Wa-li-llāhi khazāʾinu l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — but the treasures of the heavens and the earth belong to Allah alone. Wa-lākinna l-munāfiqīna lā yafqahūn — yet the hypocrites do not understand — they do not comprehend this reality.

Translation: "They are those who say: 'Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they disperse' — but to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, yet the hypocrites cannot understand."

يَقُولُونَ لَئِن رَّجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الْأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الْأَذَلَّ وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

yaqūlūna la-in rajaʿnā ilā l-madīnati la-yukhrijanna l-aʿazzu minhā l-adhalla wa-li-llāhi l-ʿizzatu wa-li-rasūlihi wa-li-l-muʾminīna wa-lākinna l-munāfiqīna lā yaʿlamūn.

"They say: 'If we return to Madīna, the mightier ones shall surely expel the more abased from it.' But glory belongs to Allah, and to His Messenger, and to the believers — yet the hypocrites do not know." (al-Munāfiqūn 63:8)

Yaqūlūna — these people say. La-in rajaʿnā ilā l-madīna — if we return to Madīna. La-yukhrijanna l-aʿazzu minhā l-adhall — the mightier among us will surely expel the more abased — the hypocrites meant by "the mightier" (al-aʿazz) themselves, and by "the more abased" (al-adhal) the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions. This is the measure of their arrogance — they thought money and clan were the measure of honour. Today the world has similarly become a place where wealth is equated with honour. Wa-li-llāhi l-ʿizzatu wa-li-rasūlihi wa-li-l-muʾminīn — but honour belongs to Allah and to His Messenger and to the believers — the standard of honour is sound faith and righteous deed. Wa-lākinna l-munāfiqīna lā yaʿlamūn — but the hypocrites do not know — they remain ignorant of this truth.

Translation: "They say: 'If we return to Madīna, the mightier shall expel the more abased from it' — but honour belongs to Allah, and to His Messenger, and to the believers — yet the hypocrites do not know."

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū lā tulhikum amwālukum wa-lā awlādukum ʿan dhikri llāhi wa-man yafʿal dhālika fa-ulāʾika humu l-khāsirūn.

"O you who believe! Let not your wealth and your children distract you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that — it is they who are the losers." (al-Munāfiqūn 63:9)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O you who have believed, O people of faith. Lā tulhikum amwālukum — let not your wealth preoccupy and distract you. Wa-lā awlādukum — and let not your children distract you. ʿAn dhikri llāh — from the remembrance of Allah — from His obedience and worship — do not neglect the remembrance of Allah on account of them. Wa-man yafʿal dhālik — and whoever does this. Fa-ulāʾika humu l-khāsirūn — then those are the ones who are truly in loss — the takers of loss, the incurring of harm — they are in loss in both this world and the next.

Translation: "O believers! Let not your wealth and your children make you heedless of the remembrance of Allah — and whoever does that, they are in loss."

وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

wa-anfiqū min mā razaqnākum min qabli an yaʾtiya aḥadakumu l-mawtu fa-yaqūla rabbi lawlā akhkhartanī ilā ajalin qarībin fa-aṣṣaddaqa wa-akun mina l-ṣāliḥīn.

"And spend from what We have provided for you before death comes to one of you and he says: 'My Lord, if only You would give me a little more time, I would give in charity and be among the righteous.'" (al-Munāfiqūn 63:10)

Wa-anfiqū min mā razaqnākum — and spend from what We have given you, from the provisions We have bestowed. Min qabli an yaʾtiya aḥadakumu l-mawt — before death comes to any of you — before that moment. Fa-yaqūla rabbi — and then he cries out: O my Lord! Lawlā akhkhartanī — why did You not give me more time — why was I not given a little delay. Ilā ajalin qarīb — to a near appointed time, just a little while longer. Fa-aṣṣaddaqa — so that I would give in charity, spend in the path of Allah. Wa-akun mina l-ṣāliḥīn — and be among the righteous.

A Persian verse speaks to this: Kuch nām khudā de bābā — jo bhūl gayā chhetiyā re ("Give a little in God's name, O father — that which was forgotten now laments.")

Translation: "And spend from the provision We have given you before death arrives at any of you — and then he cries: 'My Lord! Why did You not give me a little more time — I would have given in charity and been among the righteous!'"

Esteemed readers, what a moving reminder this is — the moment of dying comes, and that soul will cry: "O Lord, give me a little more time, even a short respite, so that I can give in charity and good deeds." This is a warning: do not delay good deeds and charity; do them now, before that last moment arrives.

(Continuation of commentary)

Then one would be forced to say: "O Lord, why did You not grant me a little more respite, so that I might have given in charity and become one of the righteous!"

وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

wa-lan yuʾakhkhira llāhu nafsan idhā jāʾa ajaluhā wa-llāhu khabīrun bi-mā taʿmalūn.

"And Allah will never grant a delay to a soul when its appointed time has come — and Allah is Fully Aware of all that you do." (al-Munāfiqūn 63:11)

Wa-lan yuʾakhkhira llāhu nafsan — Allah does not postpone, does not grant respite to anyone. Idhā jāʾa ajaluhā — when its appointed hour arrives, its end is sealed; no delay is possible for it. Wa-llāhu khabīrun — and Allah is fully aware. Bi-mā taʿmalūn — of what you do; He is fully acquainted with the deeds of all people and is the Knower of every secret.

Translation: "When death comes, Allah grants no respite to any soul — and Allah is well acquainted with all your deeds (He is fully aware of your actions)."

Esteemed readers! A person's beliefs should be sound and their deeds likewise correct — for these two are the enemies of one another. Actions are of two kinds: those relating to oneself, and those relating to others. In the second category, one must spend one's wealth for others. Allah Most High commands: "Do not turn towards anyone save Me; do not turn your back on tawḥīd" — and tawḥīd of intention in action is this: when a person attends to their own affairs, they encounter great difficulty; but tawḥīd of intention in action actually happens when one is fulfilling the rights of others — for in that moment one's concern is for tawḥīd of intention and will. But wealth is a great snare; it is exceedingly difficult to part with. In the verse before this, it was given great emphasis.

Esteemed readers! Mimmā razaqnākum — what belongs to you? Everything belongs to Allah. Then why do we hesitate to spend it in His path? From this it is understood that one who considers the wealth of others to be one's own commits a great error. The servant is the owner of nothing at all — one who gives does not truly give; one who takes has no right to take. When one holds something in one's hands, what capacity does one have to retain it?

Esteemed readers! People have acquired the bad habit that when the time of giving approaches, they say nothing. Time passes, and after that we make excuses that we ought to be given more respite — but you have already been tested: man jurriba bi-l-mujarrab ḥallat bihi l-nadāma — to test the already-tested is sheer foolishness.