✦ AT A GLANCE ✦
المنافقون
Al-Munafiqun
✦ Why this name
The Hypocrites — al-Munafiqun, named for the group it describes.
✦ When it came
Madinan, after the campaign against Banu al-Mustaliq, when 'Abdullah ibn Ubayy said that the "more honoured" would expel the "more humble" from Madinah. His son, a sincere believer, offered to deal with him himself.
✦ The story
The surah describes people whose appearance is impressive and whose speech you would listen to — *"and when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech"* — and then says they are like propped-up timber. Hollow, and holding nothing.
Its warning at the end is not about them, though. It is turned on the believers: *"O you who believe, let not your wealth or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah."*
And it ends with the request no one will be granted: *"My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term, so I could give charity and be among the righteous."* Not more years to enjoy. More years to give.
✦ How it unfolds
- AYAH 5-8
Refusing to be forgiven
Heads turned away when forgiveness is offered, and the boast about expelling the humble.