The Hypocrites (Al-Munaafeqoon)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
WHEN THE HYPOCRITES come unto thee, they say: "We bear witness that thou art indeed God's Apostle!" But God knows that thou art truly His Apostle; and He bears witness that the hypocrites are indeed false [in their declaration of faith]. 1 they use their oaths as a cover and thus they bar others from God's way: what they have been doing is truly evil -- 2 This is because they accepted the faith and then rejected it. God has sealed their hearts, thus, they do not have any understanding. 3 ۞ Now when thou seest them, their outward appearance may please thee; and when they speak, thou art inclined to lend ear to what they say. [But though they may seem as sure of themselves] as if they were timbers [firmly] propped up, they think that every shout is [directed] against them. They are the [real] enemies [of all faith,] so beware of them. [They deserve the imprecation,] "May God destroy them!" How perverted are their minds! 4 And when it is said unto them: Come! The messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you! they avert their faces and thou seest them turning away, disdainful. 5 It is alike to them whether you beg forgiveness for them or do not beg forgiveness for them; Allah will never forgive them; surely Allah does not guide the transgressing people. 6 It is they who say, “Do not spend upon those who are with Allah’s Noble Messenger until they get distraught”; whereas to Allah only belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not have sense. 7 They say, “If we return to Medinah, then indeed the honourable group will soon expel the lowly one”; whereas all honour belongs to Allah and to His Noble Messenger and to the Muslims, but the hypocrites do not know. 8