The Sign of ‘Surah Al Munafiqun’
On 17 July 2021, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) received the message of Surah Al Munafiqun almost in its entirety, in Divine revelations vouchsafed to him, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar. The revelations underscore the need for believers to guard against the problem of Hypocrisy. The Munafiqun (Hypocrites) hide behind the facade of religiosity- by adopting pietical pretences- in order to create impediments in the cause of the Divine Way. They remain among the believers to sow the seeds of doubts and disputes concerning the Divine cause, and try to deviate people by making them afraid of mundane losses- of their material riches and resources, of dominance and sovereignty in the land, social esteem and public prestige- by obeying God's messenger through caring for, and sharing with the humble followers. Instead of active engagement to benefit the poor, the Hypocrites would try to break the chain of social linkages in the new community so as to retain their own prestige and esteem. On the other hand, the Divine revelations remind us that all treasures and honours of this world and the world to come ultimately belongs to God, and hence, to the Messenger and the believers, and that unlike what the Hypocrites are calling to, it is through God-consciousness, prayer and selfless good deeds such as charitable giving and service to others that the bliss of Divine pleasure and mercy need to be sought. Indeed, it is for the believers to be mindful of these teachings so as to benefit from them in life's complex social settings, Insha Allah, Aameen.