“And when they meet those who believe, they [hypocrites] say, “We believe”; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, “Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers.” [But] Allah mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression [while] they wander blindly. Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided.”
The first verse indicates that a sign of hypocrisy is when one constantly reminds others of the good qualities they supposedly possess. The hypocrites would constantly remind the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, that they were staunch believers who were dedicated to the cause of Islam. The difference between a talker and a doer, is that the former is good at talking about the good qualities they supposedly possess, such as those who are always reminding others that they are trying their best to be a good muslim, yet they do not support their verbal declarations with actions. Whereas, the doers, talk little and act more. They do not need to remind others of the good qualities they supposedly possess and instead of talking about trying their best in fulfilling their duties towards Allah, the Exalted, and the creation, they actually fulfill them practically. The talkers are just lazy as Allah, the Exalted, does not burden a person with any task they cannot bear or fulfil. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 286.
“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity….”
Muslims must therefore avoid this hypocritical attitude by talking less about how hard they are trying to fulfill their duties and instead strive to practically fulfill them, just like the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, did.
In addition, the one who possesses this attitude is fascinated with the praise of others, as a result they are good at reminding others of the good qualities they supposedly possess and the good deeds they have done. When one persists on this attitude it leads to one doing good deeds in order to impress people instead of doing them in order to please Allah, the Exalted. The one who behaves in such a manner will be told on Judgement Day to gain the reward for their good deeds from those who they did them for, which in reality will not be possible. This has been warned in a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 3154. A muslim must therefore avoid this attitude and constantly observe their intention to ensure they only act in order to please Allah, the Exalted. A sign of this correct attitude is that they will not expect nor hope for any gratitude or praise from people. In fact, they will strive hard to keep their good deeds and qualities a secret in order to avoid showing off.
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 14:
“And when they meet those who believe, they say, “We believe”; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, “Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers.””
This verse warns against bad companionship, as a person will inevitably adopt the characteristics of their companions whether good or bad, subtle or apparent. This has been advised in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 5534.One must prove their love for the righteous by accompanying them in this world. This will ensure they end up with them in the hereafter, as they will inevitably adopt the characteristics of righteousness which leads to Paradise. This has been indicated in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 3688.
This verse also indicates another characteristic of hypocrisy namely, being two-faced. This is when one changes their attitude and speech in order to please different groups of people. This behaviour always leads to disgrace in both worlds, even if a person outwardly gains some worldly benefit from behaving in such a manner. The very people they aim to please will end up disliking them and any material benefit they obtain will only become a source of stress and anxiety for them in both worlds, even if these consequences are not obvious to them. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 15:
“[But] Allāh mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression [while] they wander blindly.”
Verse 15 also reminds people that the punishment of Allah, the Exalted, is not always obvious, such as being struck by lightning, nor does the punishment descend immediately. One must never let this reality fool them into believing they will not face the consequences of their behaviour otherwise they will continue disobeying Allah, the Exalted, which only increases the consequences they will face in both worlds. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 16:
“Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided.”
And chapter 20 Taha, verses 124-126:
“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.” He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?” [Allāh] will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot [i.e., disregarded] them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.””
Verse 16 warns that those who persistently disobey Allah, the Exalted, will fail to differentiate between right guidance, which leads to peace of mind and body in both worlds, from misguidance, which leads to anxiety, stress and punishment in both worlds. It they fail to sincerely repent, they will continue living a difficult and stressful life, despite having the world at their feet, without realizing the source of their troubles. Instead, they will blame other things for their stressful life, such as their spouse, children, friends and relatives, and as a result they will sever their ties with these things. But this will only increase their stress and anxiety in this world, as these things were not the source of their troubles. Because of their behaviour they will not be able to overcome the difficulties they face in this world, such as the death of a beloved, which will only plunge them deeper into mental and physical problems. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 16:
“Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided.”
Muslims must avoid this outcome by avoiding the disobedience of Allah, the Exalted, through insincerity in intention and actions. Instead, they must sincerely obey Allah, the Exalted, by using the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Him, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, so that they obtain peace of mind and body in both worlds. 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 16:
“Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided.”
Muslims have been granted the two sources of guidance: the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. They both make it clear how one must use the blessings they have been granted so that they obtain peace of mind and success in both worlds. Those who ignore learning and acting on these two sources of guidance, even if they believe in them, will exchange guidance for error, as their ignorance will cause them to misuse the blessings they have been granted. As warned by the end of verse 16, this attitude will lead to misguidance. This outcome is only avoided when one strives to learn and act on the two sources of guidance.
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