TRANSLATION
Are you aware of those who on the surface assert they believe in the Qur’an and earlier revelations? But in reality, they are more inclined to evil ways; whereas, God has strict command to avoid the devil, whose only mission is to lead people astray, far away from truth. When you call people: Come to what God has revealed and come to His Messenger; you see the hypocrites recoil in aversion from you.
But when a misfortune affects them due to their own doing, they rush to you swearing, “By God, we desired nothing but goodness and harmony!” God knows the secrets of their hearts. Therefore, don’t be disturbed by them, but continue to engage them in guidance and use effective means of persuasion and discourse.255
We have not sent any messenger but that he should be accepted and followed by God’s command. Had these people, who harbor evil and thereby harm themselves, come to God for forgiveness and asked the messenger to seek for them forgiveness, they would have found God to be ever ready to accept repentance and dispense Mercy. By God, their belief is not complete until they accept you [the messenger and the guidance given to you] as a judge in matters in which they dispute among themselves; and, once the judgment is rendered [according to such guidance], they have no qualms or discontent in their hearts and accept the decisions wholeheartedly and with peace in heart. If they were commanded to sacrifice their lives and exert themselves by leaving the comfort of their homes, they would not have done it except a few of them. But if they had done what they were encouraged to do, it would have been better for them and would have strengthened their convictions [in God and in His guidance], and We would have given them from Ourselves a worthy reward and guided them to the Straight Path!256
Whoever follows God and His Messenger, God will bless them, and they will be among those whom God has favored—the prophets, those who are truthful, those who bear witness to the truth [faithful to the human covenant], and those who are righteous. These are a company worthy of goodness! Such is the grace from God, and none knows better than God.
INTERPRETATION
255. The discussion about the hypocrites is instructional for all of us—to make sure we do not in any manner follow their ways. They declare on the surface their faith in God, their allegiance to God’s guidance through prophets, and their peaceful intent, but in secrecy among their confidants and in their actions, it becomes clear that they are inclined toward evil, disrupt peace in society, and have little faith and no allegiance to the Messenger or the message. We all have seen such people and have had interactions with them. We should not follow them but continue to engage them with conviction, wisdom, and persuasive discourse to help them see the truth and mend their ways.
256. The proper course for all of us (as well as those who are hypocrites) is to (1) follow the messenger and the guidance that he disseminates, (2) establish and follow justice using the guidance given, (3) once justice is rendered according to the guidance, accept with humility and have no inner discord with the judgment, and (4) exert in establishing the guidance in society even if that means that one will be deprived of the comfort of home or will have to sacrifice his or her life and possessions. These are the proper ways to prove to God our faith in Him and our commitment to His guidance.
Only by doing so can we increase our conviction in truth and justice, and God’s reward will come as a consequence, a reward that is reserved for those who (1) convey the message (prophets and worthy followers), (2) commit themselves to the truth by following the guidance, (3) defend the truth to prove their real commitment, and (4) always act righteously, no matter what odds are against them or what temptation they might face. These are the people whose company should be sought. Such people need to come together and devote time, energy, and resources to better our lives and societies and to receive God’s immense grace in this life and in the afterlife.
REFLECTION
Good and evil (truth and falsehood, light and darkness) exist for a reason. One such reason is for us understand and reflect on the consequence of evil deeds and evil intentions in ourselves and in others so that we can achieve greater conviction for good and exert ourselves to eliminate evils and establish goodness in society. Such understanding, awareness, and commitment for goodness, coupled with faith in God, should be the foundation of our existence and our communities.
ACTION
Deal with evils and evildoers in a manner that befits a person of faith and goodness—with conviction in truth, goodness, wisdom, patience, and persuasive (not abusive) discourse. As the Qur’an instructs time and again, “Their rewards will be doubled, because they are steadfast, repel evil with good, and benefit others from what they have been gifted by Us” (28:54).
Key Arabic Terms
86. Qawlam balighan: Communication with insightfulness, clarity, sincerity, forcefulness
87. Siddiqin: Bearer of truth
88. Shuhadayee: Witness to the truth, defender
89. Swalihin: Righteous, full of goodness, devoid of evil