Overview (Verses 124 - 127)

Hypocritical Attitudes

Since the sūrah has spoken extensively about the hypocrites, we have here some verses showing how those hypocrites used to receive any new revelation outlining certain duties imposed by the faith they falsely claimed to accept. This is contrasted with the way believers used to receive the revelation of new verses of the Qur’ān: “Whenever a sūrah is revealed, some of them say: ‘Which of you has this strengthened in faith?’ It certainly strengthens the believers in their faith, and so they rejoice. But as for those whose hearts are diseased, it only adds wickedness to their wickedness, and so they die unbelievers. Do they not see that they are tested once or twice every year? Yet they do not repent, and they do not take warning. Whenever a sūrah is revealed, they look at one another [as if to say]: ‘Is anyone watching?’ Then they turn away. God has turned their hearts away, for they are people devoid of understanding.” (Verses 124-127)

It is a strange and suspicious question the first verse quotes: “Which of you has this strengthened in faith?” It is asked only by one who has not felt the impact of the new sūrah as it is revealed. Otherwise he would have spoken about its effect on him instead of wondering how it has affected other people. At the same time, it betrays a sense of belittling the importance of the new revelation and its effect on people’s hearts and minds. Hence a decisive reply is given by the One who has the ultimate knowledge: “It certainly strengthens the believers in their faith, and so they rejoice. But as for those whose hearts are diseased, it only adds wickedness to their wickedness, and so they die unbelievers.” (Verses 124-125)

The believers receive with every new sūrah and new revelation a new pointer to the truth of the faith. They also remember their Lord when they listen to His revelations, and they appreciate the care He takes of them by sending down these revelations. All this adds to the strength of their faith. On the other hand, those who have sickness in their hearts, the hypocrites, will have their wickedness increased. They will die unbelievers. This is a true piece of information given by God who knows everything.

Before the sūrah portrays the opposite picture, it wonders at those hypocrites who never take an admonition, and never reflect on an event to gather the lesson that may be learnt from it: “Do they not see that they are tested once or twice every year? Yet they do not repent, and they do not take warning.” (Verse 126) The test may have taken the form of exposing their reality, or that the believers achieve victory without those hypocrites taking any part. There could be many other forms of test, which were all too frequent at the time of the Prophet. Still hypocrites today are tested and they pay no heed.

The next verse portrays a vivid scene, full of details, showing their behaviour: “Whenever a sūrah is revealed, they look at one another [as if to say]: ‘Is anyone watching?’ Then they turn away. God has turned their hearts away, for they are people devoid of understanding.” (Verse 127)

When we read this verse, the scene of these hypocrites is large in front of us. We see them at the moment when a new sūrah is revealed, with some of them looking at each other winking and wondering: “Is anyone watching?” (Verse 127) Then they feel that the believers are preoccupied with their own business, so they go out stealthily, hoping not to be noticed: “Then they turn away.” (Verse 127) But the eye which never loses sight of anything follows them with a curse that suits their suspicious deed: “God has turned their hearts away.” (Verse 127) Their hearts are turned away from the right guidance. They deserve to remain deep in error, “for they are people devoid of understanding.” (Verse 127) This is because they have kept their hearts and minds idle, unable to function properly. All of this scene is portrayed so skilfully and vividly using only a few words.