أَلَآ إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ 12
Translations
Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.
Transliteration
Alā innahum hum al-mufsidūn wa-lākin lā yash'urūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of Allah's description of the hypocrites (munāfiqūn), asserting that they are indeed the corruptors and spreaders of mischief on earth, yet they lack awareness or perception of this reality. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that the hypocrites deceive themselves by their outward profession of faith while harboring disbelief and malice in their hearts, making them unable to recognize the spiritual corruption they embody. The phrase 'wa-lākin lā yash'urūn' emphasizes their spiritual blindness—they are unmindful of the gravity of their condition and the consequences of their hypocrisy.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the section describing the characteristics of hypocrites (verses 8-20 of Surah Al-Baqarah), revealed in Medina where the Muslim community first encountered organized hypocrisy. The broader Medinan context reflects the challenges faced by the early Muslim state as certain individuals outwardly accepted Islam while secretly working against the community's interests.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays' (Sahih Bukhari 33). Additionally, the Quran itself (2:8-20) provides detailed descriptions of hypocritical characteristics that complement this ayah's theme.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah serves as a powerful reminder for believers to maintain sincere hearts and genuine intentions, recognizing that true corruption lies not in external actions alone but in the disconnect between outward profession and inner reality. Modern readers should reflect on their own sincerity in faith and remain vigilant against self-deception, understanding that spiritual blindness is the most dangerous form of ignorance.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally."
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - upon them will be the curse of Allāh and of the angels and the people, all together,
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا ٱكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
Allāh does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people."
قَالُوا۟ ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِىَ إِنَّ ٱلْبَقَرَ تَشَـٰبَهَ عَلَيْنَا وَإِنَّآ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَمُهْتَدُونَ
They said, "Call upon your Lord to make clear to us what it is. Indeed, [all] cows look alike to us. And indeed we, if Allāh wills, will be guided."