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
وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
And establish prayer and give zakāh, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allāh. Indeed Allāh, of what you do, is Seeing.
وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
But among them is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."
وَإِذْ وَٰعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰٓ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ ٱتَّخَذْتُمُ ٱلْعِجْلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ وَأَنتُمْ ظَـٰلِمُونَ
And [recall] when We made an appointment with Moses for forty nights. Then you took [for worship] the calf after him [i.e., his departure], while you were wrongdoers.
قُلْ أَتُحَآجُّونَنَا فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ وَلَنَآ أَعْمَـٰلُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَـٰلُكُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُخْلِصُونَ
Say, [O Muḥammad], "Do you argue with us about Allāh while He is our Lord and your Lord? For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. And we are sincere [in deed and intention] to Him."