Sifat Al-Munafiqin (3/5)

Their spiritual sight is too weak to bear what the rain contains: the lightning of its radiant proofs and the brightness of its meanings. Their ears are unable to accept the thunder strikes of its promises, orders, and prohibitions; as such they come to a halt in confusion, their faculty of hearing brings them no benefit and their sight is unable to guide them,

“The lightning all but takes away their sight. Whenever they have light, they walk therein but whenever darkness covers them, they halt.  If Allah wished, He could take away their hearing and sight.  Allah has power over all things.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 20][1]

They have characteristic signs by which they can be known, explained in the Book and the Sunnah, and clear for all those who are enriched with faith to see. They are people, by Allah, given to ostentation, and this is the worst station that man can reach. They are a people prone to laziness and laxity in fulfilling the orders of the All-Merciful, and because of this they find sincerity burdensome,

“When they  get  up  to  pray,  they  get  up  lazily, showing off to  people,  and  only  remembering Allah  a little.” [Surah An-Nisa’) (4): 142][2]

They are like a sheep that has strayed and finds itself between two flocks; it goes to one and then the other and does not stay with any of them. They are standing between two groups of people, all the while searching as to which is the stronger and nobler,

 “They vacillate between the two, not joining these or joining those. If Allah misguides someone, you will not find any way for him to go.” [Surah An-Nisa’) (4): 143]

They are on the lookout to see what happens to Ahlus-Sunnah; if  victory comes  their way they say, 'Were we not with  you?' and they swear their strongest oaths by Allah on this. If victory goes to the enemies of Ahlus-Sunnah they say to them 'Do you not know that we have a binding pact of brotherhood with you,' and they bring their closeness of lineage as proof for this.[3]

Whoever wishes to know them, let him take their descriptions from the words of the Lord of the worlds, and after that he will require no further proof,

“Those who anticipate the worst for you say, 'Were we not with you?' whenever you  gain  a victory from  Allah, but  if the  disbelievers have  a  success  they  say, 'Did  we not  have  the  upper hand over  you  and  yet  in  spite   of that  keep  the  believers  away  from   you?' Allah will judge between you on the Day of Judgment.  Allah will not give the disbelievers any way against the believers.” [Surah An-Nisa’) (4): 141]

One who listens to them will be astounded by the silkiness and softness of their speech; he will bring Allah to witness for what is in his heart of lies and deceit,

“Among the  people  there  is  someone  whose words about the  worldly life  excite your admiration, and  he  calls Allah to witness what is in his  heart, while he  is in fact  the  most hostile of adversaries.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 204]

What they enjoin upon their followers entails corrupting them and spreading corruption in the land. What they prohibit their followers from entails what would be better for them in this life and the Hereafter. You would see one of them amongst the believers praying and remembering Allah but,

“When he leaves you, he goes about the earth corrupting it, destroying crops and   animals. Allah does not love corruption.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 205]

They are all similar, enjoining the evil after having committed it themselves and prohibiting the good after having left it themselves. They are miserly in giving their wealth in the way of Allah, in ways that He loves it to be spent.[4] How many times has Allah reminded them of the blessings He has conferred upon them yet they turn away and abandon Him! Listen, believers, to what He says about them,

 “The men and women of the hypocrites are as bad as one another. They command what is wrong and forbid what is right and keep their fists tightly closed. They have forgotten Allah so He has forgotten them. The hypocrites are deviators.” [Surah At-Tawbah (9): 67]

If you invite them to judge by the clear import of the revelation you will see them turn away in aversion. If you could see their reality you would see a vast gulf between them and the truth, and you would see the stringency with which they turn away from the revelation.

 “When they  are  told,   'Come to  what Allah  has sent  down and  to  the  Messenger,' you  see  the hypocrites turn   away from you  completely.” [Surah An-Nisa’ (4): 61][5]

How can they be successful and guided after their intellects and religion have been afflicted so, truly unlikely is it that they will be saved from the mire and misguidance they are in. They have bought disbelief at the expense of faith and what trade is there as profitless as this?! They have exchanged the choicest sealed wine for blazing fire,

“How  will it be when a disaster strikes them  be­ cause of what   they  have  done, and  then   they come to  you  swearing  by  Allah: 'We  desired nothing but  good  and  reconciliation.'” [Surah An-Nisa’ (4):  62]

The vileness of doubts and suspicion cling firmly to their hearts and they can find no way of absolution from them,

“...Allah knows what is in such people's hearts so turn   away from them and warn them and speak to them with words that take effect.” [Surah An-Nisa’ (4): 63]

(Continued)