The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

The Day of Congregation
373
62: 11

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63. THE HYPOCRITES
A Medinan sura which warns the believers about the treachery of the hypo-
crites and describes their behaviour in some detail. A speci
fic occasion on which
the hypocrites tried to stop anyone donating money to believers is described
(verses 
7–8) and God calls on the Muslims to compensate for this by giving more
of their own funds to the needy (verses 
9–11).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1When the hypocrites come to you [Prophet], they say, ‘We bear
witness that you are the Messenger of God.’ God knows that you
truly are His Messenger and He bears witness that the hypocrites
are liars ––
2they use their oaths as a cover and so bar others from
God’s way: what they have been doing is truly evil ––
3because they
professed faith and then rejected it, so their hearts have been
sealed and they do not understand. 
4When you see them
[Prophet], their outward appearance pleases you; when they speak,
you listen to what they say. But they are like propped-up tim-
bers –– they think every cry they hear is against them –– and they
are the enemy. Beware of them. May God confound them! How
devious they are!
5They turn their heads away in disdain when they are told,
‘Come, so that the Messenger of God may ask forgiveness for
you,’ and you see them walking away arrogantly. 
6It makes no dif-
ference whether you ask forgiveness for them or not, God will not
forgive them: God does not guide such treacherous people. 
7They
are the ones who say, ‘Give nothing to those who follow God’s
Messenger, until they abandon him’, but to God belong the
treasures of the heavens and earth, though the hypocrites do not
understand this. 
8They say, ‘Once we return to Medina the power-
ful will drive out the weak,’ but power belongs to God, to His
Messenger, and to the believers, though the hypocrites do not
know this.
9Believers, do not let your wealth and your children distract you
from remembering God: those who do so will be the ones who lose.
10Give out of what We have provided for you, before death comes to

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one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if You would only reprieve me
for a little while, I would give in charity and become one of the
righteous.’
11God does not reprieve a soul when its turn comes: God
is fully aware of what you do.
The Hypocrites
375
63: 11

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64. MUTUAL NEGLECT
A Medinan sura that gets its title from verse 
9. The sura opens with a descrip-
tion of God’s power, wisdom, and knowledge (verses 
1–4). The disbelievers are
reminded of the end of those who disbelieved before them (verses 
5–6), and
their denial of the Resurrection is strongly refuted (verse 
7). The believers are
urged to be wary but forgiving of the enemies they may have within their own
families (verses 
14–15) and warned to remain steadfast and to spend in God’s
cause (verses 
8–10, 16–18).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1Everything that is in the heavens and earth glorifies God; all control
and all praise belong to Him; He has power over everything. 
2It is He
who created you, yet some of you disbelieve and some believe: God
sees everything you do. 
3He created the heavens and earth for a true
purpose; He formed you and made your forms good: you will all
return to Him. 
4He knows what is in the heavens and earth; He
knows what you conceal and what you reveal; God knows very well
the secrets of every heart.
5[Disbelievers], have you not heard about those who disbelieved
before you? They tasted the evil consequences of their conduct, and
a painful torment awaits them. 
6That is because their messengers
came to them with clear signs, yet they said, ‘Should we take guid-
ance from mere mortals?’, rejected the message, and turned away. But
God had no need for them: He is all su
fficient, worthy of all praise.
7The disbelievers claim they will not be raised from the dead. Say
[Prophet], ‘Yes indeed! I swear by my Lord! You will be raised and
then you will be informed about everything you have done: an easy
matter for God.’
8So believe in God, in His Messenger, and in the light
a
We have
sent down: God is fully aware of what you do. 
9When He gathers
you for the Day of Gathering, the Day of mutual neglect,