In the name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
We have sent down revelations that make things manifest; and God guides onto a straight way him who wills (to be guided).
They say: “We believe in God and in the Messenger, and we obey.” But then some of them turn away after this (assertion). Surely these are not believers.
Whenever they are summoned to God and His Messenger in order that he might judge between them, some of them turn away; but if the right is on their side, they come to him with all submission.
Is there disease in their hearts? Or are they full of doubt? Or do they fear that God and His Messenger might deal unjustly with them? Nay, it is they who are the wrongdoers.
The response of believers, whenever they are summoned to God and His Messenger in order that he may judge between them, is none other than, “We have heard, and we obey.” It is they that shall be successful.(Light, Al-Noor: 24: 46-52)
The surah points out that despite the revelations and the signs God had placed in the universe, there is a special type of people who are hypocrites, claiming to be Muslims, but showing no respect for Islamic values: “They say: ‘We believe in God and in the Messenger, and we obey.’ But then some of them turn away after this (assertion). Surely these are not believers.”
When faith is genuinely established in a person’s heart, it is reflected in that person’s behavior. Islam is a proactive faith that cannot remain idle. When it is genuinely accepted as a personal belief, it moves on to show its influence in practice. It must be translated into action. The Islamic method of educating its followers always seeks to transform the mental acceptance of faith into a practical approach that soon becomes a habit or a rule. At the same time, it seeks to provide the mental motivation to make belief and action mutually complementary.
Those hypocrites used to claim that they believed in God and His Messenger and that they were keen to obey them, but theirs was a hollow, verbal claim that had no practical credence. They simply turn away, making their action belie their claims. “Surely these are not believers,” because believers confirm with their actions what they claim to be their faith. Faith is not a toy which a person uses for amusement before discarding it. It is something that settles in a person’s heart, reshaping his feelings and influencing his actions. Moreover, when it is firmly established in one’s mind and heart, there is no going back on it.
Those who claimed to be believers did not hesitate to contradict that claim with their practical response when they were summoned to put their disputes to God’s Messenger for judgment on the basis of God’s law: “Whenever they are summoned to God and His Messenger in order that he might judge between them, some of them turn away; but if the right is on their side, they come to him with all submission.” They were well aware that a judgment made by God and His Messenger could only seek to establish what is right and ensure justice. It would never be influenced by personal likings. But such hypocrites did not care for justice and right. Hence, they were not prepared to seek the Prophet’s judgment. Indeed, they refused to put their disputes to him, except when they were sure that justice was on their side. In such a situation, they did not hesitate to come to him, declaring their prior acceptance of his judgment, because they were certain that it would be in their favor. It would be a judgment on the basis of God’s law that gave everyone their due.
Those people provide a typical example of hypocrites at all times: they dare not declare their disbelief; so they pretend to be Muslim. Yet they do not submit to God’s law. When they are called upon to put their cases to God and His Messenger for judgment they refuse, seeking any excuse. They are described as unbelievers, because a genuine believer will never reject God’s judgment. To accept such judgment is the practical evidence of belief. It is the attitude that confirms strong belief and due respect to God and His Messenger. Only a person whose heart has not been enlightened by faith and who has not adopted Islamic manners rejects God’s Messenger’s judgment.
Hence, their attitude is the subject of questions that confirm the fact that their hearts are diseased and wonders at their doubts: “Is there disease in their hearts? Or are they full of doubt? Or do they fear that God and His Messenger might deal unjustly with them?”
The first question is for confirmation, since disease in the heart is sure to bring about such an effect. No one with sound human nature could deviate so badly from the truth. It is heart disease that makes him imbalanced, unable to appreciate true faith and its moral code. The second question wonders at them doubting God’s judgment when they claim to believe in Him. Do they doubt that it comes from God, or that it is the judgment that administers justice? Whatever the case, such an attitude differs from that of the believers.
The third question combines wonder with denunciation. Do they fear that God and His Messenger might be unfair to them? It is most singular that such a fear should be entertained by any human being. God is the creator of all people: it is inconceivable that He would favor some of His creatures at the expense of others. “Nay, it is they who are the wrongdoers.”
