يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ 9
Translations
They [think to] deceive Allāh and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not.
Transliteration
Yukhadi'oon-allaha walladhina amanu wa ma yakhda'oon illa anfusahum wa ma yash'uroon
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the hypocrites (munafiqun) who attempt to deceive Allah and the believers through false professions of faith, but their deception ultimately harms only themselves. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that the hypocrites fail to realize that Allah is fully aware of their hidden intentions and the reality of their hearts, making their deception futile and their self-deception complete.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Baqarah's opening section describing the three categories of people: believers, disbelievers, and hypocrites. It was revealed in Madinah after the hijrah, addressing the growing problem of hypocrites in the early Muslim community who outwardly claimed belief while harboring doubt and disbelief in their hearts.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The sign of a hypocrite is three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays it' (Sahih Bukhari 33). Also relevant is the hadith about the hypocrites in Surah Al-Munafiqun, establishing the Quranic theme of hypocrisy's spiritual danger.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that deception of Allah is impossible since He knows all hidden thoughts and intentions, and that any attempt to fake faith ultimately harms only the deceiver themselves. For modern believers, it emphasizes the importance of sincere faith ('aqeedah) over mere outward conformity, and warns against the spiritual danger of internal doubt masked by external compliance.
Related Ayahs
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous -
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
But they who believe and do righteous deeds - those are the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.
وَأَنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تُلْقُوا۟ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى ٱلتَّهْلُكَةِ ۛ وَأَحْسِنُوٓا۟ ۛ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
And spend in the way of Allāh and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allāh loves the doers of good.
قَالُوا۟ ٱدْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا لَوْنُهَا ۚ قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ يَقُولُ إِنَّهَا بَقَرَةٌ صَفْرَآءُ فَاقِعٌ لَّوْنُهَا تَسُرُّ ٱلنَّـٰظِرِينَ
They said, "Call upon your Lord to show us what is her color." He said, "He says, 'It is a yellow cow, bright in color - pleasing to the observers.'"