The Holy Qur'an, like a radiant lamp, opens the path of guidance for humanity and, with profound expression, reveals the truth of human existence before them. Verse 141 of Surah An-Nis is among the luminous verses of this divine scripture that, with precision and subtlety, delineates the characteristics of hypocrites and portrays the fundamental distinctions between faith, disbelief, and hypocrisy. This treatise, through a deep contemplation of this noble verse, elucidates the features of hypocrisy, its roots in fear and cowardice, and the importance of courage and wisdom in confronting it. Employing metaphors such as the enamoured moth that hastens toward the light, it endeavours to present lofty Qur'anic concepts in a clear and engaging language for seekers of knowledge. The text, with a coherent structure, examines the ethical, psychological, and social dimensions of hypocrisy and offers strategies for liberation from it from the perspectives of education and wisdom.
The Holy Qur'an, with a sagacious expression, portrays the fate of disbelievers and hypocrites as a common path leading to Hellfire, albeit through different routes. The disbeliever proceeds toward deviation with explicit and harsh denial, whereas the hypocrite traverses this path with hesitation and wavering. This unity in outcome signifies that any deviation from the truth, whether by overt disbelief or covert hypocrisy, culminates in a grievous end. This concept acts as a mirror reflecting the inner reality of the individual, inviting him to contemplate his own path.
الَّذِينَ يَتَرَبَّصُونَ بِكُمْ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فَتْحٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ قَالُوا أَلَمْ نَكُنْ مَعَكُمْ وَإِنْ كَانَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ نَصِيبٌ قَالُوا أَلَمْ نَسْتَحْوِذْ عَلَيْكُمْ وَنَمْنَعْكُمْ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ فَاللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ وَلَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلًا
"Those who lie in wait for you; then if there is a victory for you from Allah, they say, 'Were we not with you?' And if there is a portion for the disbelievers, they say, 'Did we not gain the upper hand over you and prevent you from the believers?' But Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection, and never will Allah give the disbelievers over the believers a way [to overcome them]."
This noble verse depicts the hypocrites as individuals who await the outcome of the actions of believers and disbelievers to determine their own stance accordingly. Their behaviour is like the wind that blows whichever way it wishes, never remaining steadfast. When the believers are victorious, hypocrites claim companionship with them, and when the disbelievers gain a share, they present themselves as supporters and defenders of the latter. This vacillation is a sign of lack of independence and stability in faith and action, which inevitably leads the hypocrite toward perdition.
The word "يَتَرَبَّصُونَ" (yatarabbasoon) in the Holy Qur'an means to wait and hesitate in order to observe the outcome of others' deeds. The hypocrites, like a hunter lying in ambush, await the success or failure of the believers to claim either alliance or support. Likewise, the word "نَسْتَحْوِذْ" (nastahwidh) means to gain control or defensive dominance, which the hypocrites claim against the disbelievers in order to project themselves as a power with influence. These terms act as keys that open the inner doors of the hypocrite, revealing his hidden intentions.
The Holy Qur'an, by emphasising "فَاللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ" (Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection), promises the just judgment of God on the Day of Resurrection. This judgment functions like a scale separating truth from falsehood, delivering hypocrites and disbelievers their due recompense. Furthermore, the verse decisively declares "وَلَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلًا" (and never will Allah give the disbelievers over the believers a way), meaning disbelievers shall never attain dominance over the believers. This promise, like a star in the firmament of faith, assures the believers that even in apparent defeat, divine honour and companionship remain with them.
The first section, relying on Qur'an 4:141, explicates the features of hypocrites and the fundamental differences among disbelief, hypocrisy, and faith. Hypocrisy is akin to a disease that, through vacillation and deception, leads one away from the path of truth. In contrast, faith is like a steadfast tree rooted in the soil of knowledge, guiding the believer towards honour and victory under all circumstances. This section, by underscoring divine judgment and the spiritual superiority of believers, sets the stage for a deeper examination of hypocrisy in the following section.
Hypocrites, unlike believers and even disbelievers who possess independence in belief and action, lack stability and identity. They are like a straw drifting before the wind, inclined toward any power or interest. This vacillation resembles a fly aimlessly flitting about, never reaching a destination. The Holy Qur'an describes this trait in verse 143 of Surah An-Nis:
مُذَبْذَبِينَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ لَا إِلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِ وَلَا إِلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِ ۚ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُ سَبِيلًا
"They are wavering between that; not with these [believers] nor with those [disbelievers]. And whoever Allah leaves astray never will you find for him a way."
This instability transforms the hypocrite into an identity-less entity who holds no firm connection to God, creation, or even himself.
