Surah Al-Munafiqoon – Ahmed Aissa El Masarawi

Al-Munafiqoon (The Hypocrites) is the 63rd surah of the Quran. It is a Medinan surah of 11 verses and the 104th in the traditional order of revelation, after Al-Hajj. Named after its opening words, "When the hypocrites come to you", it exposes the conduct of the hypocrites of Medina and ends with an exhortation to the believers not to let wealth and children distract them from God.

Context of revelation

Zayd ibn Arqam heard Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites, say during a campaign: "Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of God until they disperse," and "When we return to Medina, the more honourable will drive out the more humble." Zayd reported it to the Prophet ﷺ, but Ibn Ubayy swore he had said nothing of the kind, and Zayd was not believed until God revealed this surah confirming his account (al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Themes

• The hypocrites' false testimony: they declare that he is God's messenger, and God bears witness that they are liars (63:1); they use their oaths as a shield (63:2).
• Their appearance and speech impress, yet they are like propped-up timber, fearing every cry: "They are the enemy, so beware of them" (63:4).
• Their words answered: to God belong the treasuries of the heavens and the earth, and honour belongs to God, His Messenger and the believers (63:7–8).
• The believers are warned not to let wealth and children divert them from the remembrance of God, and to spend before death comes and they plead for a short delay to give in charity (63:9–11).

Related surahs

The Prophet recited it together with Al-Jumua in the Friday prayer (Muslim). The hypocrites are also a major subject of At-Taubah.