Hypocrisy is a state of showing something different from what lies within the heart. The hypocrite is always opportunistic, seeking gains without exerting efforts. In fact, the Quran has revealed the phenomenon of hypocrisy in society. However, humans cannot peer into the hearts of others to judge whether someone is a hypocrite or not. Therefore, Allah (swt) has described the characteristics of these hypocrites in many Quranic verses.

Concerning these verses of study, they address the hypocrites who swore to the Messenger of Allah (saws) and made excuses and apologies to avoid participating in the Battle of Tabuk and the verses stated that those people who do not truly believe in Allah and the Last Day, for if they truly believed, they would have gone out and exerted effort, as true belief is manifested through action.

...وَارْتَابَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ… : (and whose hearts have doubted,): As a matter of fact, the intellectual evidence is established in the mind of a person first, then it gets absorbed and becomes firmly rooted in his heart. At that point, it becomes a belief that doesn’t require constant reassessment or hesitation; it becomes a fact. Therefore, it is called a belief (Akida), which is something that intertwines and settles in the heart. So, the evidence is in the mind, but faith resides in the heart and is affirmed by one’s actions and it requires proof and evidence, both of which are the acts of the intellect. It is important to note that many people who seek to attack Islam or criticize it often boast about the issue of reason, emphasizing the dichotomy between reason and revelation. They emphasize how reason should take precedence over revelation. This is a subject that many have researched and discussed. Certainly, one who acknowledges that revelation is the Word of Allah (swt) and that Allah is the Creator of reason, understands that there can be no conflict between what Allah (swt) has said and the knowledge derived from reason. This is because the Creator is One; there are no two deities in conflict. However, if one does not believe that the Quran is the Word of Allah (swt), that is a different matter. The entire Quran speaks about reason.

  لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ 

(perhaps they will give thought) (Al A’raf: 176)

  أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ 

(Then do they not reflect) (Al Nisa’: 82)

  أَفَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ 

(so. will they not understand?) (Yaseen: 68)

It cannot be said that the Quran does not consider reason? Revelation is from Allah (swt) and it cannot contradict knowledge (reason) or faith. Knowledge and faith are interconnected and in perfect harmony. Allah (swt) says:

  إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ 

(Of all of Allah’s servants, only the knowledgeable are (truly) in awe of Him) (Faatir: 28)