The foolishness of hypocrites - I

Like all other disbelievers, one of the most telling characteristics of hypocrites is their foolishness. They may be clever, but they can never possess wisdom, which is an essential factor towards understanding and living by the Qur'an. For this reason, their analysis of reality is unsound. Finally, they fail to appreciate Allah and believers as they ought to be appreciated, for they lack this wisdom.

They Assume Allah Is Not Cognizant Of Their Actions

The greatest foolishness of the hypocrites is their errant assumption that Allah is unaware of what they do. They devise their plans considering only the perception of believers. If they can succeed to convince believers, and gain their approval, they think, they can accomplish their goals. The fact is however, Allah knows what hypocrites contrive. Their acts and thoughts never remain hidden from Allah. He encompasses every thought that occurs to their minds, everything they feel, even their innermost thoughts. In one verse, Allah reminds us of this truth:

... There you are, loving them when they do not love you, even though you have faith in all the Books. When they meet you, they say, "We have faith." But when they leave they bite their fingers out of rage against you. Say, "Die in your rage." Allah knows what your hearts contain. (Surah Al 'Imran, 119)

Failing to recognize that Allah is aware of what they are doing, hypocrites may assume for a time that they are deceiving the believers. The temporary concealment of their hypocrisy may actually incite them further. The Qur'an describes this corrupt logic in the following way:

Do you not see those who were forbidden to confer together secretly returning to the very thing they were forbidden to do, and conferring together secretly in wrongdoing and enmity and disobedience to the Messenger? And when they come to you they greet you with words Allah has never used in greeting you, and say to themselves "Why does Allah not punish us for what we say?" Hell will be enough for them! They will roast in it. What an evil destination! (Surat al-Mujadala, 8)

The words, "why does Allah not punish us for what we say?", clearly reveal the foolishness of the hypocrites and their lack of conscientiousness. They suppose the time granted to them is unlimited, and that they can persist as usual in their hypocrisy. Yet, this is impossible; Allah will of a certainty reveal their true intentions.