Beware of Hypocrites

There is a clear warning to the faithful on hypocrites who live in our midst, and there are signs that could mark such a person, if only we remain on watch to pick up the signs:

‘’There is the type of man whose speech about this world’s life may dazzle thee, and he calls Allah to witness about what is in his heart; yet is he the most contentious of enemies’’ (2:204)

As the verse lays down the hypocrite could be smooth of tongue, the flow of his speech, his worldliness may be dazzling, especially so as he reinforces his presentation by invoking the sacred name of Allah (SwT) making his audience believe that whatever he says or whatever he does is the name of Allah (SwT) and he is treading the path set by divinity. The hypocrite indulges in plausible talks with many oaths, while as the faithful, God fearing believer may need no oath to make his word stick.

The undue stress on plausible talks with many oaths, calling Allah (SwT) to witness time and again for inexplicable reason should sound as a warning, as it is laid down that he could be the most contentious of enemies. He could be planning mischief with many a trick up his sleeve. The societal effect could be disastrous, unless the warning is heeded to remain on guard.

History is a witness to how hypocrites down the ages have worked up the societal divide by planning mischief while working within the confines of societal order. The societies with heightened vigil have kept hypocrites at bay, while societies who have lowered their guard have suffered.

There are lessons to learn and imbibe, so as to streamline societies, vigil is the key word--beware of hypocrites, ever & always.