Al-Munafiqoun (ٱلْمُنَافِقُون)

Surah Al-Munafiqoun (الْمُنَافِقُون) is the 63rd chapter of the Quran and is named after the "hypocrites" whom it addresses directly and offers profound insights into the nature of hypocrisy, its destructive impact, as well as the importance of genuine faith. This Surah is situated in the 28th Juz (Para) and consists of 11 verses (ayah) that are divided into 2 Ruku (sections). It follows Surah Al-Jumu'ah and precedes Surah At-Taghabun. Scholars unanimously agree that Surah Al-Munafiqoun is a Madni Surah, revealed during the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) time in Medina after his hijrah from Mecca.

The historical context of this Surah is associated with the critical circumstances created by the mischievous activities of the hypocrites of Medina, which began unfolding during the Battle of Uhud and thereafter gained momentum over time under the leadership of Abdullah Ibn Ubayy. They claimed to be on the side of the Muslim community but were, in fact, sowing seeds of discord and trying to divide and discourage the believers. The presence of the hypocrites who claimed to be Muslims but harbored bad intentions posed great danger to the newborn Muslim nation. The Surah was revealed as a warning to these people and also to protect the religion and teach the believers how to deal with such people.

٦٣ - ٱلْمُنَافِقُون

63 - Al-Munafiqoun

اِذَا جَاۗءَكَ الْمُنٰفِقُوْنَ قَالُوْا نَشْہَدُ اِنَّكَ لَرَسُوْلُ اؘ۝۰ۘ وَاللہُ يَعْلَمُ اِنَّكَ لَرَسُوْلُہٗ۝۰ۭ وَاللہُ يَشْہَدُ اِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِيْنَ لَكٰذِبُوْنَ۝۱ۚ
Itha jaaka almunafiqoona qaloo nashhadu innaka larasoolu Allahi waAllahu yaAAlamu innaka larasooluhu waAllahu yashhadu inna almunafiqeena lakathiboona

English

Ahmed Ali

WHEN THE HYPOCRITES come to you, they say: "We affirm that you are the Apostle of God." God indeed knows you are His Apostle. God bears witness that the hypocrites are indeed liars.

1

اِتَّخَذُوْۗا اَيْمَانَہُمْ جُنَّۃً فَصَدُّوْا عَنْ سَبِيْلِ اؘ۝۰ۭ اِنَّہُمْ سَاۗءَ مَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ۝۲
Ittakhathoo aymanahum junnatan fasaddoo AAan sabeeli Allahi innahum saa ma kanoo yaAAmaloona

English

Ahmed Ali

They have made their oaths a shield in order to obstruct others from the way of God. It is certainly evil what they do.

2

ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّہُمْ اٰمَنُوْا ثُمَّ كَفَرُوْا فَطُبِعَ عَلٰي قُلُوْبِہِمْ فَہُمْ لَا يَفْقَہُوْنَ۝۳
Thalika biannahum amanoo thumma kafaroo fatubiAAa AAala quloobihim fahum la yafqahoona

English

Ahmed Ali

That is because they came to believe, and then renounced (their faith). So their hearts were sealed; and now they do not understand.

3

وَاِذَا رَاَيْتَہُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ اَجْسَامُہُمْ۝۰ۭ وَاِنْ يَّقُوْلُوْا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِہِمْ۝۰ۭ كَاَنَّہُمْ خُشُبٌ مُّسَـنَّدَۃٌ۝۰ۭ يَحْسَبُوْنَ كُلَّ صَيْحَۃٍ عَلَيْہِمْ۝۰ۭ ہُمُ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْہُمْ۝۰ۭ قٰتَلَہُمُ اؙ۝۰ۡاَنّٰى يُؤْفَكُوْنَ۝۴
Waitha raaytahum tuAAjibuka ajsamuhum wain yaqooloo tasmaAA liqawlihim kaannahum khushubun musannadatun yahsaboona kulla sayhatin AAalayhim humu alAAaduwwu faihtharhum qatalahumu Allahu anna yufakoona

English

Ahmed Ali

Pleasing seem their persons when you look at them; and when they talk, you listen to their speech. Yet they are like the wooden panelling of a wall. They imagine every rebuke to be directed against them. They are the enemies, beware of them. May God damn them, how pervert are they!

4

وَاِذَا قِيْلَ لَہُمْ تَعَالَوْا يَسْتَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ رَسُوْلُ اللہِ لَوَّوْا رُءُوْسَہُمْ وَرَاَيْتَہُمْ يَصُدُّوْنَ وَہُمْ مُّسْـتَكْبِرُوْنَ۝۵
Waitha qeela lahum taAAalaw yastaghfir lakum rasoolu Allahi lawwaw ruoosahum waraaytahum yasuddoona wahum mustakbiroona

English

Ahmed Ali

When you tell them: "Come, let the Apostle of God ask forgiveness for you," they turn their heads, and you see them turning away with arrogance.

5

سَوَاۗءٌ عَلَيْہِمْ اَسْتَغْفَرْتَ لَہُمْ اَمْ لَمْ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَہُمْ۝۰ۭ لَنْ يَّغْفِرَ اللہُ لَہُمْ۝۰ۭ اِنَّ اللہَ لَا يَہْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفٰسِقِيْنَ۝۶
Sawaon AAalayhim astaghfarta lahum am lam tastaghfir lahum lan yaghfira Allahu lahum inna Allaha la yahdee alqawma alfasiqeena

English

Ahmed Ali

Whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask, it is all the same; God will not forgive them. Surely God does not show a disobedient people the way.

6

ہُمُ الَّذِيْنَ يَقُوْلُوْنَ لَا تُنْفِقُوْا عَلٰي مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُوْلِ اللہِ حَتّٰى يَنْفَضُّوْا۝۰ۭ وَلِلہِ خَزَاۗىِٕنُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَلٰكِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِيْنَ لَا يَفْقَہُوْنَ۝۷
Humu allatheena yaqooloona la tunfiqoo AAala man AAinda rasooli Allahi hatta yanfaddoo walillahi khazainu alssamawati waalardi walakinna almunafiqeena la yafqahoona

English

Ahmed Ali

They are the ones who say: "Do not spend on those who are with the Apostle of God till they break away (from him)." To God belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth; but the hypocrites do not understand.

7

يَقُوْلُوْنَ لَىِٕنْ رَّجَعْنَاۗ اِلَى الْمَدِيْنَۃِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الْاَعَزُّ مِنْہَا الْاَذَلَّ۝۰ۭ وَلِلہِ الْعِزَّۃُ وَلِرَسُوْلِہٖ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَلٰكِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ۝۸ۧ
Yaqooloona lain rajaAAna ila almadeenati layukhrijanna alaAAazzu minha alathalla walillahi alAAizzatu walirasoolihi walilmumineena walakinna almunafiqeena la yaAAlamoona

English

Ahmed Ali

They say: "If we now go back to Madina, the stronger will turn the weaker out." But power belongs to God, His Apostle and the faithful, though the hypocrites do not know.

8

يٰۗاَيُّہَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تُلْہِكُمْ اَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَاۗ اَوْلَادُكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اؘ۝۰ۚ وَمَنْ يَّفْعَلْ ذٰلِكَ فَاُولٰۗىِٕكَ ہُمُ الْخٰسِرُوْنَ۝۹
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la tulhikum amwalukum wala awladukum AAan thikri Allahi waman yafAAal thalika faolaika humu alkhasiroona

English

Ahmed Ali

O you who believe, let not your wealth and children make you negligent of the remembrance of God. Those who do so will be losers.

9

وَاَنْفِقُوْا مِنْ مَّا رَزَقْنٰكُمْ مِّنْ قَبْلِ اَنْ يَّاْتِيَ اَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُوْلَ رَبِّ لَوْلَاۗ اَخَّرْتَنِيْۗ اِلٰۗى اَجَلٍ قَرِيْبٍ۝۰ۙ فَاَصَّدَّقَ وَاَكُنْ مِّنَ الصّٰلِحِيْنَ۝۱۰
Waanfiqoo min ma razaqnakum min qabli an yatiya ahadakumu almawtu fayaqoola rabbi lawla akhkhartanee ila ajalin qareebin faassaddaqa waakun mina alssaliheena

English

Ahmed Ali

Spend of what We have given you before death comes to one of you, when he will say: "O Lord, why did you not defer my term for a while that I could give alms and be among the doers of good?"

10

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

Surah Al-Munafiqun was revealed to expose and address the suspicious activities of the hypocrites of Medina, especially their chief, namely Abdullah Ibn Obayy. The event that caused the revelation of this Surah took place during the return journey after the military campaign led by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ against Bani Al-Mustaliq. This campaign was launched by the Prophet in the month of Sha’aban 6 AH.

While on their way back to Medina after the military campaign against Bani Al-Mustaliq, an incident occurred within the Muslim army, resulting in a conflict between the Ansaar and the Muhajirun (the term Ansaar refers to the locals of Medina, whereas Muhajirun primarily refers to those who migrated from Mecca). This unfortunate incident occurred between two men when the Muslim army was halted near a well-known well, the well of Al-Muraisi. The conflict arose over taking water from this well. One of these two was a horseman of Hazrat Umar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, namely Jehja Ibn Masud, whereas the other, namely Sinan Ibn Wabar, was from the local Medinan tribe (Ansaar) who were also in alliance with the tribes of Aus and Khazraj. Soon, this conflict escalated into a confrontation between the Ansaar and the Muhajirun.

Taking advantage of this hostile environment, Abdullah Ibn Ubayy provoked the tribesmen of Aus and Khazraj, encouraging them to come out and help their allies. However, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ intervened and successfully averted a potential bloodshed among the Muslim army. Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his supporters felt disgraced and were uncomfortable with the outcome of the conflict. Instigated by his supporters, Abdullah Ibn Ubayy said

“You are yourselves responsible for this situation. You gave them (muhajirun) shelter in your territory and shared your properties with them, and now they are in a position to confront you. I promise that when we return back to Medina, the honorable ones will throw out the mean ones from Medina." Here, he referred to Ansaar as “honorable ones” and the Prophet and his fellow Muhajirun as “mean ones”.

A young companion, Zaid Ibn Arqam, who was there with his uncle (who was one of the chiefs of Ansaar), heard this speech of Abdullah Ibn Ubayy. Both of them reported this conversation of Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his supporters to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. When the Prophet called Abdullah Ibn Ubayy, he flatly refused to say anything like that. The Prophet accepted his clarification, but Zaid Ibn Arqam insisted that he had personally heard all the conversation. However, the Prophet was fully aware of the character of Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and the young Zaid Ibn Arqam. Hence, the Prophet understood the entire episode but chose not to create any unwanted situation on his way back to Medina. This incident is narrated in full detail in Hadith 4900 of Sahih Al-Bukhari. The same incident is also reported in Hadiths 4901, 4902, 4903, and 4904 of Sahih Al-Bukhari with further details.

By the time the Muslim army led by the Prophet Muhammad returned to Medina, most of the Ansaar were fully aware of the incident and went against Abdullah Ibn Ubayy for his insulting and provocative statements against the Prophet. So much so that his son also went against his father, preventing him from entering Medina. But the Prophet ordered that he be let in.

With that historical background, Surah Al-Munafiqun was revealed when the Prophet returned to Medina following the successful military campaign against Bani Al-Mustaliq. While the entire Surah addresses the issue of hypocrisy, its 4th verse specifically affirms the truthfulness of the young companion Zaid Ibn Arqam regarding what he heard from the chief of the hypocrites, Abdullah Ibn Ubayy, which he reported to the Prophet.

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah Al-Munafiqun is a Madni Surah, revealed in the 6th year after Hijrat-e-Medina.

Place in the Quran

Surah Al-Munafiqun is the 63rd Surah of the Quran. It falls in the 28th Juzz (Para) of the Quran after Surah Al-Jumu’ah, and before Surah At-Taghabun. It is the 104th Surah in the order of revelation, and comes at number 63 in the sequence of recitation.

  • Number of Verses: Surah Al-Munafiqun has 11 verses.
  • Number of Ruku (Sections): Surah Al-Munafiqun is divided into 2 Rukus (sections).

Significance of Surah Al-Munafiqun  

  • It Exposes the Hypocrisy – Surah Al-Munfiqun narrates the character and traits of hypocrites in detail, such as that they speak lies, take false oaths, have deceptive speech, believe in Islam only outwardly, and, from their hearts, remain disbelievers. In this way, the Surah indirectly teaches us what the righteous character of a believer should be: they should not tell lies, be sincere in their beliefs and faith, and, more importantly, follow Islam from the heart.
  • It Warns Believers Against Materialism – This Surah also warns us against the love of wealth, status, and family in matters of true belief. Any such material attractions must not distract one's faith. The Surah is in fact a stern reminder not to get so much attached to worldly attractions, which may distract us from remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.  It also teaches us that true honor belongs to affiliation with Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, and not to the worldly status.
  • It emphasizes the Importance of Charity – The Surah encourages us to give charity frequently during worldly life. In fact, this Surah reinforces the importance of good deeds, which are done timely, during our worldly lives, instead of being regretful in the hereafter.
  • It Warns us Against Weakness in Internal Faith – By narrating the characteristics of hypocrites, the Surah warns us against inner weakness in faith, against just the external showoff.
  • It Reminds us to Remain Vigilant Against Internal Divide – The Surah warns believers to remain vigilant against attempts by external forces to sow division within the Muslim Community. Muslims must always maintain harmony within their ranks.

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Munafiqun

Surah Al-Munafiqoun offers profound insights into the nature of hypocrisy and provides guidance on how to identify and tackle this problem while also addressing several important themes relevant to the Muslim community and individual believers.

  •  Exposing Characteristics of Hypocrites

The Surah describes the traits of hypocrites by telling how the hypocrites claim to be pious but, in reality, are miscreants and pretend to pay allegiance to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) but they harbor unbelief and hostility in their hearts. It is through their lying tongues that they manipulate society and amass personal gains at the expense of the Muslim fraternity (63:1). It comes in hadith that: 

Narrated Zaid bin Thabit: When the Prophet (ﷺ) went out for (the battle of) Uhud, some of his companions (hypocrites) returned (home). A party of the believers remarked that they would kill those (hypocrites) who had returned, but another party said that they would not kill them. So, this Divine Inspiration was revealed: "Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties concerning the hypocrites." (4.88) The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Medina expels the bad persons from it, as fire expels the impurities of iron." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1884)

  • The Dangers of Hypocrisy

The Surah is built around the theme of hypocrisy and proceeds to convey its ravaging effects to the community of the faithful. They individually work to spread discord and bring division to a society with true believers of a cause; the society can be weakened by the presence of such hypocrites that cause the breakdown of trust and unity needed in any society to develop.

  •  The Importance of Sincerity

The Surah focuses on the concept of hypocrisy, which is considered the opposite of true faith, and calls on the Muslim community not to fall into the trap of hypocrisy. A true believer thus stands firmly in support of the legitimate sovereignty of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and obeys Him and the Prophet (ﷺ) as well as supports the Muslims. 

  • The Consequences of Hypocrisy

The Surah then calls on the hypocrites and warns them of the wrath of Allah that awaits them in the hereafter for all their actions and vows that their actions shall be unmasked before Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and they are punished for their acts of hypocrisy. 

  • The Call to True Belief/Reflection on Mortality and Accountability

Surah Al-Munafiqoun urges the believers to increase their taqwa and stay away from the evils of hypocrisy and reminds them to be steadfast in their faith and good deeds as they will be questioned on their deeds in the afterlife (63:9).

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Munafiqoun

The recitation and contemplation of Surah Al-Munafiqoun have several positive impacts on the faith of Allah's believers. Through reading these verses, believers can increase their knowledge about Islam and improve their belief in it. 

There are many rewards and blessings associated with Surah Al-Munafiqoun, if one is to recite and ponder over its verses. By reading the Surah and reflecting on its message of sincerity and alertness, a person is warned or reminded to be careful of being a hypocrite because the Surah describes hypocrites in detail and calls on anyone who finds any of these traits within himself or herself to have a change of heart. This helps Muslims be mindful of their actions and assists them in working towards being better Muslims with true devotion to their faith.

The Surah seriously condemns hypocrisy and calls for unity and solidarity among the Muslim community. It then proceeds to encourage Muslims to be firm in their while reminding them of the challenges of hypocrisy and persecution faced by the early Muslim community.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah Al-Munafiqun by Renowned Qaris

Recitation of the Quranic Surahs, including Surah Al-Munafiqun, is a sensitive matter when it comes to the correct and precise pronunciation of different Arabic words. Pronouncing an Arabic word in its true sense becomes even more sensitive while reciting the Quran because these are the words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and must be recited correctly to avoid any misleading meanings and concepts. This might be somewhat difficult for a non-Arabic-speaking person. But listening to the recitation of the Quran by an authentic Qari (reciter) may be highly beneficial to overcome this difficulty. Moreover, one may sometimes just like to listen to the recitation of the Quran rather than read it.   

At MuslimandQuran, we provide the best solution to this sensitive matter. The recitation of the Quran by the most authentic Qaris is available on our website and mobile application, where you can listen to it on your mobile devices or laptops whenever you like. You can select a Qari of your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You only need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile application to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Munafiqun.

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FAQs:

Al-Munafiqun translates to “the Hypocrites”. In the context of Surah Al-Munafiqun, it refers to hypocrites of Medina, especially their chief, namely Abdullah Ibn Ubayy.

Surah Al-Munafiqun has 11 verses.

Yes, Hadiths 4900 to 4904 of Sahih Al-Bukhari narrate the incident of an insulting statement by Abdullah Ibn Ubayy, reported by a companion, Zaid Ibn Arqam, before the Prophet. This Surah was revealed on that occasion, not only endorsing the truthfulness of Zaid Ibn Arqam but also highlighting the characteristics and traits of hypocrites.

Yes, you can listen to Surah Al-Munfiqun online, on any of your mobile devices, as all the Surahs of the Quran are uploaded on the Mobile Application and website of the MuslimandQuran.

No specific rewards are associated with the daily recitation of Surah Al-Munafiqun. However, reading any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Munafiqun, brings unlimited rewards. Hence, reading this Surah daily may bring rewards, although it is not specifically recommended. You can read it whenever you like, not necessarily daily.

The Quran, including Surah Al-Munafiqun, is for the benefit and guidance of the entire humankind, irrespective of nationality or language. It brings equal benefits to whoever recites any Surah of the Quran, including Surah Al-Munafiqun. So, a non-Arabic speaker will definitely get the same benefits from reciting Surah Al-Munafiqun as an Arabic speaker may.