Derived from the lecture series of Nekounam, , Session (171)
Verses 12 and 13 of Surah Al-Baqarah delineate the characteristics of the hypocrites, delving into the profound layers of hypocrisy and its consequences on human behaviour and perception. These verses, akin to a clear mirror, reveal the intellectual and practical deviations of the hypocrites. Employing precise expressions such as وَلَكِنْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ ("but they perceive not") and وَلَكِنْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ("but they know not"), they highlight their ignorance and lack of awareness. This interpretation adopts a scientific and systematic approach, utilising refined metaphors to establish a coherent framework for understanding hypocrisy and methods of its avoidance.
The Noble Qur'an, with meticulous and purposeful architecture, employs the arrangement of verses and their concluding expressions to convey profound meanings. Terminal expressions such as وَلَكِنْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ are not merely ornamental but play a pivotal role in clarifying the message of the verse.
وَلَكِنْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَThe phrase وَلَكِنْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ in verse 12 refers to the profound unawareness of the hypocrites regarding the corruption of their deeds. The word شَعَرَ implies subtle and intuitive perception, contrasting with عَلِمَ, which pertains to superficial knowledge.
وَلَكِنْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ emphasises the hypocrites ignorance of the intricate corruptions inherent in their actions. أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَكِنْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Behold! Indeed, they are the corrupters, but they perceive it not.
The hypocrites, under the guise of reform, actually perpetrate corruption while remaining unaware of it.
The hypocrites consider themselves the sole reformers, while God designates them exclusively as corrupters. This dual confinement exposes the contradiction between claim and reality.
وَيَحْلِفُونَ إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلَّا الْحُسْنَىٰ
And they swear, We meant nothing but good. (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:107)
يَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَا إِلَّا إِحْسَانًا وَتَوْفِيقًا
They swear by Allah that they intended nothing but kindness and success. (Surah An-Nisa, 4:62)
These verses demonstrate the hypocrites claims of benevolence, juxtaposed with the reality of their corruption.
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ آمِنُوا كَمَا آمَنَ النَّاسُ قَالُوا أَنُؤْمِنُ كَمَا آمَنَ السُّفَهَاءُ أَلَا إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ السُّفَهَاءُ وَلَكِنْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And when it is said to them, Believe as the people have believed, they say, Shall we believe as the foolish have believed? Behold, it is they themselves who are the foolish, but they know not.
The hypocrites label the believers as fools, yet due to their own ignorance, they are the actual fools.
The phrase وَلَكِنْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ in verse 13 refers to the hypocrites ignorance of their own folly. This ignorance stems from egocentrism and rejection of truth.
The hypocrites swear before the believers that they are well-intentioned, yet these oaths signify their duplicity and hypocrisy.
The hypocrites display a faade of faith in public but consort with devils in private. This duplicity resembles a shapeshifting idol, changing form at will.
A firm yet erroneous belief holds no value; rather, it leads to misguidance and corruption. Examples such as the Kharijites and deviant groups illustrate this peril.
Historically, groups like the Kharijites, adhering to false beliefs, even inflicted harm upon the Imams (peace be upon them). This underscores the danger of beliefs unaligned with truth.
Presenting ones beliefs to others and accepting criticism is a means to prevent hypocrisy and dogmatism. The hypocrites, due to egocentrism, were deprived of this process.
Presenting beliefs even to close associates or scholars can rescue one from misguidance. This method has precedent in Islamic tradition, such as the presentation of Abd al-Azim al-Hasanis beliefs to the Imams (peace be upon them).
Practical hypocrisy occurs when an individual or group outwardly appears benevolent but is inwardly corrupt. This form of hypocrisy is more dangerous than overt disbelief.
Governmental hypocrisy takes place when regimes or groups, under the guise of benevolence, squander societal resources and spread corruption.
Beliefs must be tested against truth and reality. Beliefs lacking this test lead to dogmatism and misguidance.
The hadith إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ (Indeed, deeds are judged by intentions) is valuable only when intentions align with truth and Shariah.
Verses 12 and 13 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by elucidating the traits of the hypocrites, offer profound lessons in epistemology, ethics, and social conduct. The hypocrites, due to egocentrism and delusions of benevolence, have immersed themselves in corruption and folly, estranged from truth. The expressions وَلَكِنْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ and وَلَكِنْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ emphasise their ignorance and lack of insight. These verses invite humanity to scrutinise beliefs, present them to others, and accept criticism to remain safeguarded against dogmatism and hypocrisy. Hypocrisy, whether on individual, collective, or governmental levels, constitutes a grave danger that can only be averted through adherence to truth and receptiveness to critique. This interpretation, providing a scientific and systematic framework, underscores the necessity of awareness and responsibility in responding to Divine guidance.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi