Surah 63: The Hypocrites - Overview

Introduction

This is the seventh of the ten short Madinah Surahs dealing with a special feature in the social life of the Brotherhood.

The special feature here dealt with is the wiles and mischief of the Hypocrite elements in any community and the need of guarding against it and against the temptation it throws in the way of the Believers.

The Battle of Uhud (Shawwal A.H. 3) unmasked the Hyprocrites in Madinah. This Surah may be referred to some time after that event, say about 4 A.H. or possibly 5 A.H. if the words reported in verse 8 were uttered in the expedition against the Banu Mustaliq, A.H. 5.

Summary

1- False are the oaths of the Hypocrites: they only seek selfish ends: Believers should beware of their wiles and strive devotedly always for the Cause. (63:1-11)

The World's Foolish Craze [63:1-11] The oaths of Hypocrites are a screen for their misdeeds. They think they deceive with their fair exteriors and plausible talk, but their minds are impervious to the real Truth. They may plot to withhold from men of God Such things of this world as they may command; they may plot to expel and persecute the righteous; they may call them ill names and slight them. But to God belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth, and He will bestow according to His wise and universal Plan. Let not the world's foolish craze divert the Believers from the service of God--from good deeds and Charity. Now is the time: all vain will be your pleasure and your regrets when the shadow of Death cuts off your last chance of Repentance!