When the hypocrites come unto you...

When the hypocrites come unto you, they say: "We bear witness that you are verily Allah's Messenger." Allah knows that you are His Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars. The Arabic word nifaq, derived from the root n-f-q, connotes the underground tunnels used for camouflage or flight. Some animals, like field mice and lizards dig nests with two holes. In like manner, hypocrites leave clandestine ways through which they may flee at the time of urgency.

People may fall into four categories. The first group consists of those who are devout believers and act upon their obligations. These are true believers. Those in the second group sincerely believe, but they fail to act. Such people are disobedient. The third group consists of those who do not believe in their hearts but pretend belief. These are hypocrites. The people in the fourth group neither sincerely believe nor act upon their obligations. They are disbelievers.

Imam ‘Ali (as) is quoted as saying that hypocrisy stems from inward inferiority.[^3] Hypocrites in the early days of Islam had found their way into decision making for society and even the Noble Prophet (S) was exposed to their conspiracies.

The exegesis of the blessed Verse in question requires a prelude regarding the point that the earliest instances of hypocrisy trace back to the Noble Prophet's (S) migration to Medina when the strong pillars of the Islamic faith and its triumph were reflected. There were almost no hypocrites in Mecca, since powerful opponents could utter and do whatever they liked against the Islamic faith without entertaining fear in their hearts. Thus, there was no need to act hypocritically.

The widespread of the Islamic faith in Medina weakened its enemies, since it was hard and at times impossible to explicitly deny the Islamic faith. Consequently, the defeated enemies made attempts at destructive stratagems in a new guise and thereby pretended to join the Muslims, but they pursued their clandestine measures.

It is natural that any revolution, following its manifest triumph, confronts the lines of hypocrites and the bitter enemies of yesterday appear in the guise of the infiltrators of today. Therefore, the reason behind the revelation of numerous Qur’anic Verses in Medina rather than Mecca regarding the hypocrites is clarified.