Section 12 - Dealing with Hypocrites

To deal with hypocrites as enemies unless they amend their conduct.

88. " Why should you take both sides concerning hypocrites, wihle Allah has discarded them because of what they have earned? Do you want to guide someone whom Allah has forsaken to astray? For, who Allah has forsaken to astray, never shall you find a way for him."

Occasion of Revelation:

According to what some commentators of the Qur'an have narrated from Ibn-Abbas, a group of the citizens of Mecca had embraced Islam, but in fact, they were in the row of hypocrites and that was why that they did not emigrated to Medina. Yet, finally, they had to go out from Mecca finally. (And haply, because of the partiqular condition they had, they didi so for the purpose of spying).

The Mulsims recognized the matter, but, very soon, they differed among themselves that how to treat this group. Some believed that those hypocrites should be forsaken because they were, indeed, the adherents of the enemies of Islam. But some others, who were rather simple-minded and saw only the outward of the things, opposed that idea and surprisingly said how they should fight against some people who had testified to the Unity of Allah and the prphethood of the Messenger.

The verse was revealed and blamed the fault of the second group and then guided them.

Commentary:

Regarding the above occasion of revelation, the relation of this verse and the verses next to it with the former verses about the hypocrites, is quitely clear.

At the beginning of the verse, it implies why have you separated into two groups about the hypocrites and each group of you judge in a different form? It says:

" Why should you take both sides concerning hypocrites,..."

Then the Qur'an says that Allah has taken success and His support from this group of hypocrites because of their disgraceful indecent deeds they have done, and He has reversed their thoughts totally. It is like a person who, in stead of standing on his feet, stands on his head. It says:

"...wihle Allah has discarded them because of what they have earned?..."

Then, at the end of the verse, the Quran addressing those shallow minded Mulsims who supported this group of hypocrites, and says:

"...Do you want to guide someone whom Allah has forsaken to astray? For, who Allah has forsaken to astray, never shall you find a way for him."

It is an everlasting way of Allah's treatment that the effect of the deeds of no one separates from him. How can you expect that those whose thoughts are filthy, whose hearts are full of hypocrisy, and their treatment is supporting the enemies of Allah be guide? This is an illogical and improper expectation.

(89) وَدُّواْ لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَاء فَلاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنْهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء حَتَّىَ يُهَاجِرُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَخُذُوهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدتَّمُوهُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَلاَ نَصِيرًا

89. " They wish that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore do not take from among them friends until they migrate in Allah's way. But if they turn back (to infidelity), then seize them and slay them wherever you find them, and do not take from among them a friend or a helper."

Commentary:

In the previous verse, the words were about those hypocrites whom some simple-minded Muslims raised to support and intercede, but the Quran stated their separation from Islam. Now this verse, following to that idea, indicates that the inner darknesss of these hypocrites is so much so that, not only they themselves are disbelievers, but they desire that you should disbelieve, too, as they do, and you would be equal to them. It says:

"They wish that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike;..."

Therefore, they are worse than the ordinary pagans, becouse those pagans are not the thieves and robbers of others' Faith, while these hypocrites are, and they ceaselessly try to spoil the creeds of others. Now that they are like that, it says:

"...therefore do not take from among them friends..."

This is a frame, unless they reform their affairs and stop hypocrisy and destruction. The sign of this status is that they migrate from the center of infidelity and hypocrisy to the camp of Islam in the way of Allah. It says:

"...until they migrate in Allah's way..."

But if they do not try to migrate, you should know that they have not abandon their infidelity and hypocrisy. So, their expression of Islam is only for the purpose of spying and destruction. In this case, wherever you find then, you can capture them, or, if necessary, slay them. It says:

"...But if they turn back (to infidelity), then seize them and slay them wherever you find them,..."

Then, at the end of the verse, it emphasizes again that you should never take friends from among them. It says:

"...and do not take from among them a friend or a helper."

Except this intensity of action, there is no other way to save an alive society, which is going forth alongside an improving revolutionary path, from the clutches of some seeming-friend enemies and dangerous spies.

(90) إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ إِلَىَ قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُم مِّيثَاقٌ أَوْ جَآؤُوكُمْ حَصِرَتْ صُدُورُهُمْ أَن يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ أَوْ يُقَاتِلُواْ قَوْمَهُمْ وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ فَلَقَاتَلُوكُمْ فَإِنِ اعْتَزَلُوكُمْ فَلَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ وَأَلْقَوْاْ إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ فَمَا جَعَلَ اللّهُ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سَبِيلاً

90. " Except those (hypocrites) who join a people between whom and you is a covenant, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people; and if Allah had plessed, He would have given them power over you. So taht they should have certainly fought you. Therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah allows you no way (to fight) against them."

Commentary:

In the previous verse, the intensive action and slaying the hypocrites who assist infidels were referred to. In this verse two groups are excepted from them.

Mililary treaties, even with hostile infideles, and also international agreements should be respected at the time of peace.

" Except those (hypocrites) who join a people between whom and you is a covenant,..."

And, in fightings, do not invade those who announce impartiality:

"... or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people;..."

And respect the peaceful motives and offers of stopping fire, since, in Islam, the principle is based on peace, and fight is for an exceptional case.

"...Therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah allows you no way (to fight) against them."

You should be attentive to the Power of Allah in order that you do not encounter with pride, and your sentiments be adjusted both.

"...and if Allah had pleassed, He would have given them power over you so that they should have certainly fought you. ..."

Muslims should be so powerful that their opponants even do not think of attacking them. That is why only the suggestion of peace is enough. To be certain, abandoning war and inspiring peace are necessary.

"...and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah alloes you no way (to fight) against them."

(91) سَتَجِدُونَ آخَرِينَ يُرِيدُونَ أَن يَأْمَنُوكُمْ وَيَأْمَنُواْ قَوْمَهُمْ كُلَّ مَا رُدُّوَاْ إِلَى الْفِتْنِةِ أُرْكِسُواْ فِيِهَا فَإِن لَّمْ يَعْتَزِلُوكُمْ وَيُلْقُواْ إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ وَيَكُفُّوَاْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ فَخُذُوهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثِقِفْتُمُوهُمْ وَأُوْلَـئِكُمْ جَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَانًا مُّبِينًا

91. " You will find soon others who desire to be secure from you, and secure from their own people. So often as they are returned to mischief (of idolatry) they get thrown into it. Thereafter, if they do not withdraw from you, and do not offere you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and against these We have given you a clear authority."

Commentary:

In order to save their lives, a group of the citizens of Mecca came to the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and hipocritically stated that they had become Muslims. But when they returned to their city, they continued idol worshipping so that they would not encounter with the tortures of the disbelievers. By that way, they could enjoy of both parties and would be safe from the danger of both sides. Their tendecy, of course, was actually rather more towards infindelity.

Thus, Muslims should know their different kinds of enemies and treat each of them appropriately while they would not trust the statement of them.

An Islamic government has authority and mostership in suppressing the vicious hypocrites, and clearing the society of them.

"...and against these We have given you a clear authority."

Yet, the intensive and suppressive punishment is specific to those hypocrites who have activities to destroy the Islamic government.

"...and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them..."

(92) وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ أَن يَقْتُلَ مُؤْمِنًا إِلاَّ خَطَئًا وَمَن قَتَلَ مُؤْمِنًا خَطَئًا فَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ وَدِيَةٌ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ إِلاَّ أَن يَصَّدَّقُواْ فَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍ عَدُوٍّ لَّكُمْ وَهُوَ مْؤْمِنٌ فَتَحْرِيرُ ر َقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةٍ وَإِن كَانَ مِن قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ مِّيثَاقٌ فَدِيَةٌ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ وَتَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ مُّؤْمِنَةً فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ تَوْبَةً مِّنَ اللّهِ وَكَانَ اللّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا