Name of the Surah
This surah is called Al-Munafiqun
(“the hypocrites”) because it begins by a discussion about the hypocrites and
describing their attributes, as well as their hostile attitudes toward
Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] and the believers.
Surah Al-Munafiqun was revealed in Al-Madinah and contains eleven Ayah.
Relationship
between Surah Al-Jumu’ah and Surah Al-Munafiqun
There is a clear contrast between the themes of Surah Al-Jumu’ah and Surah
Al-Munafiqun:
·
Surah Al-Jumu’ah speaks
about the believers.
·
Surah Al-Munafiqun speaks
about the hypocrites.
·
Surah Al-Jumu’ah refers to
those who disbelieved in the message of Messenger Muhammad, namely the Jews.
·
Surah Al-Munafiqun refers
to those who disbelieved in the message of Messenger Muhammad in their hearts
while pretending to believe in him with their tongues, namely the hypocrites.
Most
Important Topics Discussed in Surah Al-Munafiqun
The main theme of Surah Al-Munafiqun is similar to the themes of other surahs
revealed in Al-Madinah. These surahs typically address matters related to Islamic
law and issues that led to the emergence of the phenomenon of hypocrisy.
Surah
Al-Munafiqun begins by describing the attributes of the hypocrites. Among their
characteristics are:
·
Lying, as they pretend to
be believers while concealing disbelief in their hearts
·
Making false oaths
·
Cowardice and weakness
·
Conspiring against Prophet
Muhammad and the believers
·
Turning people away from
Islam
63:1 When
the hypocrites come to you, they say, ‘We bear witness that you are indeed the
Messenger of Allah.’ And Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and
Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are truly liars.
63:2 They
have taken their oaths as a shield, and thus, they turn others from the path of
Allah. Surely, evil is that which they used to do.
The surah
then refers to some of the hypocrites’ shameful and arrogant attitudes. They
claim that they are more honorable than Messenger Muhammad and the believers.
The Quran completely refutes this claim and affirms that honor belongs to
Allah, His Messenger, and the believers.
63:8 They
say, ‘If we return to Al-Madinah, the more honorable ones will expel the meaner
ones therefrom’; and to Allah belong the honor and to His Messenger and to the
believers, but the hypocrites do not know.
Finally,
Surah Al-Munafiqun concludes by urging the believers to obey Allah and His
Messenger and to spend from their wealth for the sake of Allah before death
comes to them, which will never be delayed when its appointed time arrives.
63:10 And
spend of that which We have provided you before death comes to one of you and
he should say, ‘O my Lord, if only You give me a reprieve until a brief term so
that I may give charity and become of the righteous.’
63:11 And
Allah will never give a soul a reprieve when its term comes, and Allah is well
aware of what you do.
