An explanation for the speech of Allaah, the Bestower of abundant favours, which was facilitated by Allaah Himself, the Most Generous and Most Merciful
by al-Imaam 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir as-Sa'dee
English translation along with occasional brief explanatory notes
al-Baqarah (2):8-16
Next, Allaah described people of nifaaq: those who outwardly display Islaam (submission to Allaah and acceptance of the truth) while they actually harbour kufr (rejection of the truth) within themselves.
[2:8] It is important to know that the term โnifaaqโ means displaying good outwardly while concealing bad inwardly. This definition includes nifaaq in beliefs as well as nifaaq in actions.
Examples of nifaaq in actions were mentioned by the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) in his statement, โThree indicators of a munaafiq (a person of nifaaq) are: he lies when he speaks, he goes back on his word when he makes a promise, and he betrays when entrusted.โ{1} Another narration of that hadeeth contains the wording, โhe is evasive or abusive when he disputes.โ{2}
As for nifaaq in beliefs, it removes a person from Islaam, and it is the type with which Allaah described the munaafiqoon in this soorah and others. This type of nifaaq did not exist before the migration of the Prophet (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection) from Makkah to al-Madeenah, nor right after that migration. Things continued that way until the battle of Badr when Allaah enabled the people of eemaan to prevail and made them victorious. Consequently, those in al-Madeenah who had not accepted Islaam developed feelings of humiliation and inferiority, and some of them then pretended to practice Islaam outwardly. They did that out of fear for themselves, seeking to deceive others, and hoping to safeguard their lives and their wealth. Thus, they remained among the Muslims while outwardly pretending to be just like them, although reality was otherwise.
Out of Allaahโs kindness to the people of eemaan, He exposed the state of the people of nifaaq, and described them with characteristics that distinguished them from others. That was done so that the people of eemaan would not be deceived by those munaafiqoon, and so that the munaafiqoon themselves would be deterred from committing many of their evil actions. Allaah โ the Most Exalted โ said, ((The munaafiqoon are afraid lest a soorah be sent down concerning them, informing the people of eemaan about what is really in their hearts)) [9:64].
Hence, in the passage of Soorah al-Baqarah currently being discussed, Allaah described the munaafiqoon as having the root of nifaaq [i.e. that which relates to oneโs foundational beliefs]. He said, ููู ููู ุงููููุงุณู ู ููู ููููููู ุขู ููููุง ุจูุงูููููู ููุจูุงููููููู ู ุงููุขุฎูุฑู ููู ูุง ููู ู ุจูู ูุคูู ูููููู ((And among people there are some who say, โWe have eemaan in Allaah and in the Last Day,โ but they are not actually people of eemaan)). They utter things with their mouths which are not actually in their hearts, so Allaah exposed them as liars by saying, ((but they are not actually people of eemaan)). This is because genuine eemaan requires that the beliefs held in the heart be consistent with what is professed verbally. As for the munaafiqoon, what they did was an attempt to deceive Allaah and His obedient worshipping servants who do have genuine eemaan.
Notes:
{1} Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, no. 33; Saheeh Muslim, no. 211.
{2} Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, no. 34; Saheeh Muslim, no. 210.ย
\End of notes.
Review questions for [2:8]:ย
Q1 How is this passage [2:8] related to what came before it? Q2 What does the term โnifaaqโ mean in a general sense? Q3 What are the two types of nifaaq included in the foregoing definition? Q4 What hadeeth was cited by the author and which type of nifaaq does it refer to? Q5 Which type of nifaaq is referred to in the Qurโaan, and what is the difference between it and the other type of nifaaq? Q6 When and why did the nifaaq referred to in the Qurโaan begin? Q7 What two objectives were mentioned to illustrate Allaahโs kindness in exposing the munaafiqoon and describing their characteristics to the people of eemaan? Q8 In [2:8], what type of nifaaq did Allaah describe the people of nifaaq as having, and how is that at odds with genuine eemaan?
[2:9] [ููุฎูุงุฏูุนูููู ุงูููููู ููุงูููุฐูููู ุขู ููููุง ((They attempt to deceive Allaah and those who do actually have eemaan))]. The deception mentioned here refers to the deceiver outwardly pretending one thing while concealing the opposite within so that he can get what he wants from whomever he is trying to deceive. The munaafiqoon tried to behave this way towards Allaah and His servants.
[ููู ูุง ููุฎูุฏูุนูููู ุฅููููุง ุฃูููููุณูููู ู ููู ูุง ููุดูุนูุฑูููู ((but they do not deceive anyone except themselves and they do not realize that))]. Their attempted deception ended up being against their own selves, and this is something quite remarkable since deception usually results in the deceiver either getting what he wants, or in him remaining safe without anything for or against him. As for the munaafiqoon, their attempted deception ended up being against their own selves. It was as though all of their scheming was for the purpose of inflicting harm and damage upon themselves, since their deception does not harm Allaah in any way, and Allaahโs obedient servants are also not harmed by their schemes in any way. People of genuine eemaan are not harmed if the munaafiqoon outwardly pretend to have eemaan, because even though the munaafiqoon may attain protection of their wealth and lives by doing that, their schemes still eventually end up against themselves. That results in the munaafiqoon being disgraced and exposed in this world, as well as them feeling continuous sadness due to the strength and support attained by the people of eemaan. Then, in the hereafter, they will be subjected to painful and devastating punishment because of their lies, sins, and rejection of the truth from Allaah. However, due to their own ignorance and imprudence, they do not realize that.ย
Review questions for [2:9]:ย
Q1 What deception is referred to in Allaahโs statement ((They attempt to deceive Allaah and those who do actually have eemaan))? Q2 What does the attempted deception of the munaafiqoon result in for them in this world and the hereafter?ย
[2:10] ููู ูููููุจูููู ู ู ูุฑูุถู ((In their hearts is a disease)). The disease here refers to doubts, misconceptions, and nifaaq. The heart is vulnerable to two diseases which make it unhealthy and unbalanced: one is the disease of false concepts, and the other is the disease of degrading inclinations.
Things like kufr (rejecting the truth from Allaah), nifaaq, doubts, and being involved in bidโah (beliefs or practices that are invented then claimed to be part of Islaam) all emanate from the disease of false concepts.
Things like adultery, as well as being attracted to immorality and sins or engaging in them, emanate from the disease of degrading inclinations, as in the statement of Allaah โ the Most Exalted โ ((โฆlest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire)) [33:32]. This has to do with the inclination to commit adultery.
The person who attains true wellbeing is the one who is protected from both of the aforementioned diseases and, as a result, he would have certainty, eemaan, and perseverance in refraining from all sins. In that way, he would enjoy being adorned with many forms of wellness.
Allaah said about the munaafiqoon, ููู ูููููุจูููู ู ู ูุฑูุถู ููุฒูุงุฏูููู ู ุงูููููู ู ูุฑูุถูุง ((In their hearts is a disease, and Allaah then increased their disease)). This highlights the wisdom of Allaah โ the Most Exalted โ in decreeing further sins for those who commit sins, and the fact that their previous sins is what leads to Allaah putting them through the trial of committing further sins that will bring about various punishments. Allaah โ the Most Exalted โ said, ((We divert their hearts and their sight from recognizing the truth just as We diverted them from accepting the evidences of the Qurโaan in the very beginning due to their stubborn rejection)) [6:110]. Allaah โ the Most Exalted โ also said, ((So when they chose to deviate from the truth, Allaah caused their hearts to deviateโฆ)) [61:5]. Allaah โ the Most Exalted โ further said, ((As for those in whose hearts is a disease, it will add further impurity to the impurities they already have within themselvesโฆ)) [9:125]. Thus, the punishment for committing a sin is committing even more sins afterwards, just as one of the rewards for performing a righteous deed is performing more righteous deeds afterwards. Allaah โ the Most Exalted โ said, ((Allaah increases in guidance those who follow His guidanceโฆ)) [19:76].
[Allaah further said at the end of the passage being discussed, ููููููู ู ุนูุฐูุงุจู ุฃููููู ู ุจูู ูุง ููุงูููุง ููููุฐูุจูููู ((and they will be subjected to a painful torment because of their persistent lying))].ย
Review questions for [2:10]:ย
Q1 What are the two types of diseases to which the heart is vulnerable, and what examples did the author cite for each type? Q2 Which of the two types of diseases is the one referred to in Allaahโs statement ((In their hearts is a disease))? Q3 What is highlighted by Allaahโs statement ((In their hearts is a disease, and Allaah then increased their disease))? Q4 Cite other passages from the Qurโaan which have a meaning similar to the passage in the previous question. Q5 What passage from the Qurโaan was cited to indicate that among the rewards for a righteous deed is being guided to perform subsequent righteous deeds?
[2:11] [ููุฅูุฐูุง ููููู ููููู ู ููุง ุชูููุณูุฏููุง ููู ุงููุฃูุฑูุถู ((When they are told, โDo not cause corruption in the landโ))]. This passage is in reference to the munaafiqoon causing corruption in the land, which means committing kufr (rejecting the truth from Allaah) or perpetrating sins in general. That includes divulging confidential matters about the people of eemaan to their opponents, and giving allegiance to those who reject the truth from Allaah.
When the munaafiqoon are told not to cause such corruption, ููุงูููุง ุฅููููู ูุง ููุญููู ู ูุตูููุญูููู ((they say, โIt is only we who want to set things rightโ)). Thus, they combine striving to cause corruption in the land, along with defending their actions as being an effort to set matters right rather than cause corruption. What they alleged was contrary to reality, and they did what was wrong while believing that it was correct. The state of those people is far more grave than that of someone who commits sins while believing those sins are impermissible, since such a person has more reason to attain salvation than the aforementioned people, and there is more hope that he would return to doing what is correct.
The statement of the munaafiqoon ุฅููููู ูุง ููุญููู ู ูุตูููุญูููู ((โIt is only we who want to set things rightโ)) conveys that they are the only ones who set matters right, and it implies that the people of eemaan do not do that.
Review questions for [2:11]:ย
Q1 What does โcausing corruption in the landโ mean? Q2 What two things do the munaafiqoon combine as understood from their statement ((โIt is only we who want to set things rightโ))? Q3 What does the statement of the munaafiqoon ((โIt is only we who want to set things rightโ)) convey about themselves, and what does it imply about the people of eemaan?
Consequently, Allaah refuted their allegation by saying:
[2:12] ุฃูููุง ุฅููููููู ู ููู ู ุงููู ูููุณูุฏูููู ((Indeed, they are certainly the ones who cause corruption)). There is no greater corruption than what is done by those who reject Allaahโs evidences, obstruct people from following Allaahโs path, attempt to deceive Allaah and His obedient worshipping servants, take as allies those who wage war against Allaah and His Messenger (may Allaah grant him commendation and protection), and โ on top of that all โ still claim that they are setting matters right. What corruption could be worse than this?
[ูููููููู ููุง ููุดูุนูุฑูููู ((but they do not realize that))]. The knowledge they have does not yield any benefit for them, but it is sufficient to establish proof against them which leaves them with no further excuse before Allaah. Committing sins is regarded as corruption since it results in damage to whatever is on the face of the Earth of grains, fruits, trees, and plants. Peopleโs sins can affect those in various adverse ways. Additionally, committing sins is considered corruption since setting things right upon the Earth is achieved when people obey Allaah, have correct beliefs about Him, and perform righteous deeds for Him. It is for those very reasons that Allaah created humanity, let them dwell upon the Earth, and gave them abundant provisions which they can harness to assist themselves in obeying and worshipping Him. If people do the opposite of that upon the Earth, they spread corruption upon it and ruin it by using it in ways other than those for which it was created.
Review questions for [2:12]:ย
Q1 How is the passage [2:12] related to what came before it? Q2 What constitutes the greatest form of corruption as described by the author? Q3 What two reasons were mentioned for considering committing sins as corruption?
[2:13] [ููุฅูุฐูุง ููููู ููููู ู ุขู ููููุง ููู ูุง ุขู ููู ุงููููุงุณู ((When the munaafiqoon are told, โHave eemaan the way those people have eemaanโ))]. In other words, the munaafiqoon are told to have eemaan the same way that the Companions do (may Allaah be pleased with all of them). The eemaan of the Companions was established in their hearts, in addition to being verbally professed with their tongues.
When the munaafiqoon are told to be the same, ููุงูููุง ุฃูููุคูู ููู ููู ูุง ุขู ููู ุงูุณููููููุงุกู ((the munaafiqoon reply, โShould we have eemaan the same way that those fools have eemaan?โ)) Allaah distanced the munaafiqoon from all goodness. They made that untruthful insinuation about the Companions (may Allaah be pleased with all of them). The munaafiqoon alleged that the foolishness of the Companions is what led them to have eemaan, leave their homelands, and oppose those who rejected the truth from Allaah. To the munaafiqoon, sound reasoning dictated the opposite of that. As a result, they described the Companions as fools, implying that they themselves were the people of sound minds, wisdom, intellect, and reasoning.
However, Allaah refuted their allegations [by saying, ุฃูููุง ุฅููููููู ู ููู ู ุงูุณููููููุงุกู ูููููููู ููุง ููุนูููู ูููู ((Indeed, it is they who are certainly the fools, but they do not know that))]. Allaah stated that they were the fools in reality, because real foolishness is for a person to be ignorant about what is in his best interests, and to strive for what harms himself; and this is precisely the description that fits the munaafiqoon. On the other hand, sound intellect and reasoning are for a person to know what is in his best interests, strive to attain what benefits him, and strive to avert what harms him; and this is precisely the description that fits the Companions and the people of eemaan. What is to be given true consideration is the traits that people actually have, as well as the proof that backs those up. Consideration is not to be given to mere claims and empty words.
Review questions for [2:13]:ย
Q1 Who is meant by โthose peopleโ in [2:13], and what is their eemaan like? Q2 Why did the munaafiqoon describe those people as โfoolsโ, and what does it imply in terms of how the munaafiqoon view themselves? Q3 What constitutes real foolishness, and how does it contrast with sound intellect and reasoning?
[2:14] [ููุฅูุฐูุง ูููููุง ุงูููุฐูููู ุขู ููููุง ููุงูููุง ุขู ููููุง ((When the munaafiqoon meet the people of eemaan, they say, โWe have eemaan just like youโ))]. This is an instance of them saying verbally what is not actually in their hearts. When in the company of the people of eemaan, the munaafiqoon pretend that they are following their path and are with them. [ููุฅูุฐูุง ุฎูููููุง ุฅูููู ุดูููุงุทููููููู ู ููุงูููุง ุฅููููุง ู ูุนูููู ู ุฅููููู ูุง ููุญููู ู ูุณูุชูููุฒูุฆูููู ((but when they are alone with their leaders in defying Allaah, they say, โWe are really with you. We were only mockingโ))]. In other words, when alone with their leaders in evil, the munaafiqoon say, โWe are really with you. We were only mocking those people of eemaan when we pretended to follow the same path as them.โ This explains their condition inwardly and outwardly, but the plotting of such evils only seizes those who plot.
Review questions for [2:14]:ย
Q1 Mention an instance of the munaafiqoon saying verbally what is not actually in their hearts.
[2:15] ุงูููููู ููุณูุชูููุฒูุฆู ุจูููู ู ููููู ูุฏููููู ู ููู ุทูุบูููุงููููู ู ููุนูู ูููููู ((Allaah will mock them, and He leaves them for a time in their transgression, lost and confused)). This is their recompense for mocking Allaahโs obedient servants.
One aspect of Allaah mocking the munaafiqoon is that He made the miserable and horrible things they perpetrated seem appealing to them, to the point that they thought themselves to actually be with the people of eemaan since Allaah apparently did not give the people of eemaan the upper hand over them.
Another aspect of Allaah mocking them will be on the Day of Resurrection when He gives them apparent light along with the people of eemaan. Then, when the people of eemaan begin to walk ahead in their own light, the light of the munaafiqoon will be extinguished and they will be left lost and confused in darkness after the light has gone. They will feel utmost despair after initially feeling a sense of hope. ((The munaafiqoon will call out to the people of eemaan, โWere we not with you?โ They will reply, โYou were with us outwardly but you ruined your own selves, you kept waiting for bad to befall us, and you harboured doubtsโฆ)) [57:14].
Yet another aspect of Allaah mocking them is that ((He leaves them for a time)) meaning He causes them to increase ((in their transgression)) which refers to their wrongdoing and rejection of the truth. Allaah leaves them like that totally ((lost and confused)).
Review questions for [2:15]:ย
Q1 Why does Allaah mock the munaafiqoon? Q2 How does Allaah mock the munaafiqoon in this world and in the hereafter? Q3 What does ((He leaves them for a time)) mean? Q4 What does ((their transgression)) refer to?
Allaah โ the Most Exalted โ then exposed the true reality of their condition by saying,
[2:16] ุฃููููุฆููู ((Those people)), meaning the munaafiqoon who have the aforementioned characteristics,ย ุงูููุฐูููู ุงุดูุชูุฑูููุง ุงูุถููููุงููุฉู ุจูุงููููุฏูู ((are the ones who purchased misguidance for themselves at the price of sound guidance)). In other words, they are the ones who desired to obtain misguidance, like a buyer who desires to obtain a particular item and is willing to pay a high price because of how much he wants it. This is a very profound similitude. It likens misguidance, which is the ultimate evil, to an item for purchase; and it likens guidance, which is the ultimate good, to the price. Hence, the munaafiqoon gave up sound guidance without wanting to keep it for themselves; and they did that to acquire misguidance, wanting it for themselves.
[ููู ูุง ุฑูุจูุญูุชู ุชูุฌูุงุฑูุชูููู ู ((Thus, their exchange brought no profit))]. That was the trade in which they engaged, and it was a terrible one to make. If a person who trades a gold coin for a silver one incurs a loss, what should be said about a person who trades a precious gem for a mere silver coin? And what should be said about a person who trades guidance for misguidance, chooses misery over happiness, and prefers lowly things over lofty ones? The trade of such a person brings no profit; rather, he incurs the greatest loss due to it. People who do such things are ((those who will lose their own souls and their families on the Day of Resurrection. That is indeed the manifest loss)) [39:15].
ููู ูุง ููุงูููุง ู ูููุชูุฏูููู ((and they were not guided)). Allaahโs statement decisively affirms that they were misguided and that they did not attain any guidance whatsoever. These are their abhorrent characteristics.
Review questions for [2:16]:ย
Q1 Who does ((Those people are the onesโฆ)) refer to? Q2 Explain the similitude presented in [2:16]. Q3 What was the result of the exchange made by the munaafiqoon? Q4 What is conveyed by Allaahโs statement ((and they were not guided))?
