وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ 8
Translations
And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allāh and the Last Day," but they are not believers.
Transliteration
Wa mina an-nasi man yaqolu amanna billahi wa bil-yawmi al-akhiri wa ma hum bi-mu'minin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the hypocrites (munafiqun) who verbally claim belief in Allah and the Last Day while their hearts are devoid of true faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this ayah addresses those whose outward profession of Islam contradicts their inner disbelief and corrupt actions, establishing that true faith requires both sincere internal conviction and consistent external practice.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Baqarah's opening section (ayahs 1-20) which delineates three categories of people: the believers, the disbelievers, and the hypocrites. Revealed in Madinah, it addresses the reality of hypocrites in the Muslim community who concealed their disbelief while maintaining outward Islamic appearances.
Related Hadiths
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The sign of a hypocrite is that he has three characteristics: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays.' (Sahih Bukhari 33). Additionally, in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:9-10, the hypocrites' deception and disease of the heart is further described.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers to examine their own hearts and ensure their faith is genuine and reflected in their actions, not merely a verbal claim. It emphasizes that Allah knows what lies within hearts and that true belief requires alignment between words, intentions, and deeds.