Surah 63: Al-Munafiqun (The Hypocrites)
A warning against hypocrites who feign faith and plot against believers.
Surah 63, titled Al-Munafiqun (The Hypocrites), is a short chapter that focuses on the behavior and character of hypocrites in the early Muslim community. The passages depict hypocrites as those who outwardly profess faith in Muhammad as the Messenger of Allah while inwardly being liars (Surah 63:1), using oaths as a cover to turn people away from Allah's way (Surah 63:2). The surah warns believers against them, describing their arrogance, their refusal to seek forgiveness through the Prophet, and their plotting to undermine the community (Surah 63:4-8).
- Number of verses in the sampled passages
- 11 (Surah 63:1–11)
- Key accusation against hypocrites
- They are liars who use oaths as a cover (Surah 63:1-2)
- Consequence of their disbelief
- Their hearts are sealed, and Allah will not forgive them (Surah 63:3, 6)
- Their attitude toward the Prophet
- They evade and are arrogant when asked to come for forgiveness (Surah 63:5)
- Their plot
- They urge not to spend on those with the Messenger and boast they will expel the humble from Medina (Surah 63:7-8)
- Final warning to believers
- Do not let wealth and children divert you from remembrance of Allah, and spend before death comes (Surah 63:9-11)
Lore & Background
The hypocrites are portrayed as a dangerous internal enemy. They verbally testify that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger, but Allah testifies that they are liars (Surah 63:1). Their oaths are a cover for averting people from Allah's way (Surah 63:2). Their hearts are sealed because they believed then disbelieved (Surah 63:3). They appear pleasing and speak eloquently, but are like propped-up wood, fearful that every shout is against them (Surah 63:4). They arrogantly turn away when asked to come to the Prophet for forgiveness, and Allah declares He will never forgive them (Surah 63:5-6). They also conspire to cut off support for the believers and boast that the more honored will expel the humble from Medina, though all honor belongs to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers (Surah 63:7-8).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray the hypocrites as a group that outwardly conforms to Islam but inwardly opposes it. Their defining trait is duplicity: they swear allegiance while plotting against the community. The surah emphasizes that their actions are not hidden from Allah, who seals their hearts and refuses forgiveness. The hypocrites are depicted as arrogant, evasive, and manipulative, using their social standing and speech to deceive. They attempt to undermine the Prophet's authority by discouraging spending on his followers and by threatening to expel the believers from Medina. The surah contrasts their behavior with the proper conduct of believers, who are warned not to let wealth or children distract them from remembrance of Allah and to give charity before death. The final verses underscore the certainty of death and Allah's complete knowledge of all deeds, leaving no room for the hypocrites' schemes to succeed.
Did You Know?
- The hypocrites are described as taking their oaths as a cover to avert people from Allah's way (Surah 63:2).
- They believe and then disbelieve, causing their hearts to be sealed (Surah 63:3).
- They think every shout is against them, and are called the enemy (Surah 63:4).
- They say the more honored will expel the more humble from Medina, but honor belongs to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers (Surah 63:8).
More in Surahs 61–80
Elsewhere in the Quran universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record