Author: Bai Tao
Before exploring Surah 2: 2-16, firstly we have to understand how human is described in the Quran. In the Quran, people are basically divided into three categories, which are believers （مؤمنين）, unbelievers （الكافرين）and hypocrites （المنافقين）. Surah 2: 2-5 refer to the believers, Surah 2: 6-7 refer to the unbelievers and Surah 2: 8-14 point to the hypocrites.
Characteristics of believers
Allah is the center of their lives
Allah is the center of believers’ lives; they would rather please Allah than satisfy their own selfish desires. Al-Quran describes: ‘And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah……’ (Surah 2: 207), they are willing to sacrifice their lives in order to win the pleasure of Allah; it is also described in other surah: ‘But the messenger and those who believe with him strive with their wealth and their lives. Such are they for whom are the good things. Such are they who are the successful.’ (Surah 9: 88). They show great enthusiasm for the Lord’s work and give away their properties unhesitatingly.
Choose the Hereafter and not the life of the world
In addition, believers strive hard throughout this life for the sake of the Hereafter; they do not work hard to pursue the enjoyment of this present life. This is how Al-Quran describes believers: ‘…and are certain of the Hereafter’ (Surah 2: 4) [Note 1]. This is because the present life is temporary whereas the Hereafter is eternal: ‘….whereas the life of the world is but brief comfort as compared with the Hereafter.’ (Surah 13: 26). The life of the world is just fleeting adornment, the Hereafter is the real life: ‘And whatsoever ye have been given is a comfort of the life of the world and an ornament thereof; and that which Allah hath is better and more lasting. Have ye then no sense?’ (Surah 28:60)
Insight into Allah’s revelation
Most people can only rely on the five senses to take cognizance of the things around, but one cannot experience the spiritual world such as heaven and hell with the five senses. The Quran describes that believers are able to go beyond the limitations of five senses and gain insight into Allah’s revelation: ‘Who believe in the Unseen……’ (Surah 2: 3). ‘Unseen’ refers to things that cannot be seen with naked eyes. Allah often allows believers understand His will through revelations: ‘This is of the tidings of things hidden. We reveal it unto thee ….’ (Surah 3: 44) [Note 2]. It is also written in other surah: ‘…and supported him with hosts ye cannot see,……’ (Surah 9: 40)
Characteristics of hypocrites
There is another type of people often mentioned in the Quran, they are called hypocrites. Hypocrites are not referring to people who deliberately pretend; rather, it refers to believers who cannot pay the cost. When they first believed, they did not consider thoroughly the cost of believing in Allah. Later, when they are put to the test, they shrank back.
The Quran describes hypocrites as a mixture of believers and unbelievers, they are wavering between believing and unbelieving: ‘Swaying between this (and that), (belonging) neither to these nor to those….’ (Surah 4: 143), in order to clearly define their identity, Allah has particularly pointed out in the Quran: ‘…On that day they were nearer disbelief than faith… ‘ (Surah 3: 167).
Fail to keep promises to Allah
One of the characteristics of the hypocrites is, they fail to keep their promises to Allah, often speak thoughtlessly. When they are put to the test and are required to pay the price, they evade. Allah points out in the Quran: ‘And they swear by Allah that they are in truth of you, when they are not of you, but they are folk who are afraid. Had they but found a refuge, or caverns, or a place to enter, they surely had resorted thither swift as runaways.’ (Surah 9: 56-57) [Note 3]. Whenever they want to give a little bit more to the Lord, they feel hesitant; it is described in the Quran: ‘They alone ask leave of thee who believe not in Allah and the Last Day, and whose hearts feel doubt, so in their doubt they waver. And if they had wished to go forth they would assuredly have made ready some equipment,….’(Surah 9: 45-46). Their hearts are filled with doubts and unbelief. [Note 4]
Therefore, in the Quran, Allah rebuked the hypocrites because they broke their promises and lied: ‘So He hath made the consequence (to be) hypocrisy in their hearts until the day when they shall meet Him, because they broke their word to Allah that they promised Him, and because they lied.’ (Surah 9: 77). [Note 5]
The external conceals the internal inadequacies
In addition, the hypocrites like to prove their faith through external conduct in order to conceal their infidelity towards Allah; it is described in the Quran: ‘…….When they stand up to worship they perform it languidly and to be seen of men, and are mindful of Allah but little;’ (Surah 4: 142). They particularly pay attention to how others will assess them; the Quran describes: ‘They swear unto you, that ye may accept them. Though ye accept them. Allah verily accepteth not wrongdoing folk..’ (Surah 9: 96) [Note 6]
They do not sincerely love Allah
The motive of belief of the hypocrites is not out of love for Allah. Often, when it involves their interests, they will reveal their true colour. The Quran describes, ‘And of them is he who defameth thee in the matter of the alms. If they are given thereof they are content, and if they are not given thereof, behold! they are enraged.’ (Surah 9: 58). They regard money as very important: ‘…….and pay not (their contribution) save reluctantly.’ (Surah 9: 54) [Note 7]. Thus, in the Quran Allah rebuked them for their duplicity, their mouths uttered belief but their hearts are inseparable from worldly motives. The Quran mentions: ‘That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed so that they understand not’ (Surah 63: 3) [Note 8]
Hypocrisy is an act of self-deception, more dangerous than unbelief because the hypocrites often think that they are believers, thinking that Allah is unaware of this. In fact, in the eyes of Allah they are no different from unbelievers. The Quran points out: ‘They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not’ (Surah 2:9).
Allah’s warning to the hypocrites is very severe: ‘Lo! the hypocrites (will be) in the lowest deep of the Fire……’ (Surah 4:145), and this is not directed to the hypocrites only, the believers must also be very cautious; warning from the Quran, ‘O ye who believe! If ye obey a party of those who have received the Scripture they will make you disbelievers after your belief.’ (Surah 3: 100) [Note 9]. If a believer is not able to commit to Allah totally, he may change to become an unbeliever or become a hypocrite with a mixture of belief and unbelief.
To be continued “The inverted life (2) <Quran> 2: 2-16”…………..
[Note 1] also seen in Al-Quran 6: 92, 27: 3, 31: 4 [Note 2] also seen in Al-Quran 11: 49, 12: 102 [Note 3] also seen in Al-Quran 33: 13 [Note 4] also seen in Al-Quran 57: 14, 59: 14 [Note 5] also seen in Al-Quran 59:11 [Note 6] also seen in Al-Quran 63: 2-3, 4: 138-139 [Note 7] also seen in Al-Quran 9: 67, 9: 76, 33: 19 [Note 8] also seen in Al-Quran 3: 167 [Note 9] also seen in Al-Quran 2: 109**All Al-Quran verses are sourced from English Translation of Al-Quran by Muhd M.W.Pickthall, with thanks.