“And when it is said to them [hypocrites], “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Should we believe as the foolish have believed?” Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.”
The beginning of this verse indicates the importance of advising others on good things and by extension, warning them against bad things. One must fulfil this duty according to Islamic knowledge and manners in a kind and gentle way. This duty, and many others, is fulfilled correctly when one sincerely loves for others what they desire for themself. The one who adopts this attitude will advise others correctly.
In addition, the Holy Quran stresses the importance of people believing like the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, believed. Anyone who studies their lives will clearly observe people who actualized their faith, which involved using the blessings they were granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. It is clear that no other type of belief, such as verbally declaring one’s belief while failing to act on it, is accepted by Allah, the Exalted. Chapter 4 An Nisa, verse 115:
“And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers – We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.”
Therefore, muslims must believe and actualize their belief according to how the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, did so, which in turn is how the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, did so. This involves strictly adhering to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. One must avoid acting on other things, even if they are considered good deeds. The truth is that the more one acts on other things, the less they will act on the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. This is quite evident to those who observe others who are always keen to perform good deeds not taken from the two sources of guidance. This is one of the reasons why the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, warned that any action which is not rooted in the two sources of guidance will be rejected. This is confirmed in a Hadith found in Sunan Abu Dawud, number 4606.
The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, are referred as the people in order to highlight that accepting and acting on faith is not a difficult task, which only a special few can fulfill. In fact, Allah, the Exalted, has made Islam easy to accept and actualize, as it has been tailored for the nature of humans. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 185:
“…Allāh intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship…”
The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, would emphasize the easy nature of Islam by advising others to work according to their strength and not to overburden themself. This has been advised in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 39. As Allah, the Exalted, has not burdened anyone with a duty they cannot bear and fulfill, working according to one’s strength will ensure one fulfills their duties and obtains peace of mind and body in both worlds. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 286:
“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity…”
And chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 13:
“And when it is said to them [hypocrites], “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Should we believe as the foolish have believed?” Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.”
As Islam calls people towards using the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, as outlined by the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, it contradicts using these blessings in ways pleasing to oneself. It is important to understand that as Allah, the Exalted, controls the spiritual heart of a person, the abode of peace of mind, they will not obtain peace of mind and body irrespective of what worldly things they obtain as long as they fail to use them in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted. Chapter 20 Taha, verse 124:
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life, and We will gather [i.e., raise] him on the Day of Resurrection blind.”
Those who fail to understand this truth, observe those who do understand this truth and act rightly as fools – fools who live their lives controlling their desires instead of unleashing them like wild animals. Their lack of knowledge and understanding makes them the real fools, as they live their lives as animals, whose only purpose is to fulfil their own desires, and as a result they are subjected to nothing but stress, anxiety, mental disorders and suicidal tendencies, even if they have moments of fun and entertainment. Chapter 9 At Tawbah, verse 82:
“So let them laugh a little and [then] weep much as recompense for what they used to earn.”
If they fail to repent and mend their ways, like those who have believed and actualized their faith, then their misery will extend to the hereafter as well. This is the greatest loser and fool. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 13:
“And when it is said to them [hypocrites], “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Should we believe as the foolish have believed?” Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.”
The main verses also indicate a reality which has affected people since the dawn of time. Whenever a person chooses a path which is different to the path of those around them, they will be heavily criticized, even if the path they choose is not evil. The majority of this criticism actually comes from one’s own relatives and friends. Instead of adopting sincerity and encouraging their relatives to strive for a better path, they prefer that they join them on their path, even if that path is inferior or even evil. A muslim who desires to learn more about Islam will also experience this from their muslim relatives and friends. But they must never be deterred by this negative reaction, as it is a typical reaction, even the Holy Prophets, peace be upon them, experienced. They must remain steadfast on their sincere intention and push through the criticism until they taste the sweetness of faith. This, by far, surpasses and makes up for any criticism they may encounter or people they may lose due to a change in their attitude. Chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 13:
“And when it is said to them [hypocrites], “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Should we believe as the foolish have believed?” Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.”
This verse also warns against ignorance. The ignorant one will assume that fulfilling one’s desires leads to peace of mind and success, whereas controlling one’s desires and instead using the blessings one has been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, will not result in peace of mind or success. A muslim must therefore strive to learn and act on Islamic knowledge so that they understand the fact that Allah, the Exalted, controls the fate of people in this world and in the next. Whoever sincerely obeys Him will find peace and success in both worlds, even if their success in this world is not obvious. Whereas, those who disobey Him will find nothing but misery in both worlds. Islamic knowledge will allow one to clearly differentiate between these two outcomes, as they will learn examples from the past which demonstrate this fact and they will be granted the ability to observe more examples in their present life also. Whereas, remaining ignorant will prevent one from recognizing the correct path and instead one will be encouraged to blindly follow others like cattle. They will fail to differentiate what is genuinely good from what is bad and success from failure. As a result, they will choose the bad path which leads to failure in both worlds while assuming they have chosen the good and successful path. They will mock those who have chosen the successful path believing they are fools, while in reality they are the fools. Chapter 23 Al Mu’minun, verses 55-56:
“Do they think that what We extend to them of wealth and children. Is [because] We hasten for them good things? Rather, they do not perceive.”
And chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 13:
“…Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.”
In addition, true belief requires one to practically submit to Allah, the Exalted, which involves using the blessings one has been granted in ways pleasing to Him, according to the Holy Quran and traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. But the person who only wants to fulfil their desires will observe those who control themselves as fools. But in reality, they are the foolish ones as they have chosen a path which will ensure they suffer in both worlds. Their example is similar to the patient who is told by their doctor to adhere to a strict diet. This fool will ignore the doctor’s advice as it contradicts their desires. They will therefore continue with their unhealthy diet and as a result they will suffer from countless mental and physical health problems, such as diabetes, obesity and being unconfident. Whereas, the one who accepts the doctor’s advice may be forced to oppose and give up their desires yet it will lead them to a good and healthy mental and physical state.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 13:
“And when it is said to them [hypocrites], “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Should we believe as the foolish have believed?” Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.”
This attitude can also affect the muslims who possess worldly knowledge. Their worldly knowledge deludes them into thinking they can apply their worldly knowledge and intellect to their life in order to achieve right guidance instead of learning and acting on Islamic knowledge. This attitude can also cause one to label those who pursue and implement Islamic knowledge as foolish. Even though worldly knowledge is praiseworthy, as long as it is used in the sincere obedience of Allah, the Exalted, none the less, it will never suffice someone in obtaining right guidance. Worldly knowledge cannot explain how one should use the blessings they have been granted correctly so that they achieve peace of mind and body in both worlds. This is only achieved through Islamic knowledge, knowledge obtained from the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. A muslim must therefore study and implement both Islamic and useful worldly knowledge without abandoning either.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 13:
“And when it is said to them [hypocrites], “Believe as the people have believed,” they say, “Should we believe as the foolish have believed?” Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.”
It is vital for muslims to adopt certainty of faith, through learning and acting on Islamic knowledge so that they avoid adopting the attitude mentioned in the main verse under discussion. Those who fail to adopt certainty of faith will fail to observe how actualizing one’s faith, which involves using the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, will benefit them in both worlds. Certainty of faith allows one to understand that the benefits obtained in sincerely obeying Allah, the Exalted, in this world are often not tangible, such as gaining wealth or authority. Instead, these benefits are often hard to observe, such as peace of mind and body. Only through certainty of faith will one appreciate these unapparent benefits and therefore strive to obtain them. If one neglects strengthening their faith then they will fail to observe these unapparent benefits and as a result they will not sincerely obey Allah, the Exalted. They will instead observe those who strive to obey Allah, the Exalted, in order to obtain these unapparent benefits as foolish, even though they are the foolish ones.
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