The believer, disbeliever, and hypocrite in ourselves

1st of Ramadhan 1441 Hijriah (24th April 2020)

There is a clear distinction in the first part of the Quran, about the believer, disbeliever, and hypocrite. However, many times, people mistakenly use it as a base to quickly judge other people on whether they are one or the other. 

People with self-righteousness will often judge other people as being disbelievers or hypocrites based on their actions, while confidently judging themselves as true believers. Perhaps because others don’t go to the mosque as often as they do, or are seemingly not giving out to charity as much as they do.

This quickness in judging other people is a disease that we need to cure in our society. We should always be aware that we don’t know the whole picture. What we perceive might not actually be in line with the truth. People who are having difficulties in going to a certain mosque might be going to another mosque, or have other pressing matters to attend to (taking care of their sick relatives, working in order to make ends meet, etc., which are also commendable deeds). People who are seemingly not giving out to charity might be giving out to charity through other outlets. It would not be fair if we judged people for being hypocrites or even worse, disbelievers, while we only know but a fragment of their lives.

The distinction that is given in the Quran about the believer, disbeliever, and hypocrite should be looked at as a reminder for ourselves first and foremost. That we probably hover between these three states (belief, disbelief, hypocrisy) in our lives. We hope that in the end, there is a strong affinity toward the believing state, but at certain times, we might show signs of hypocrisy or even disbelief. This part of the Quran helps us reflect on our states and rectify them.

The Quran will be guidance if we approach it with humility and an open heart. Guidance will not benefit the arrogant and self-righteous heart. In fact, the recurring theme of the Quran is that arrogance and self-righteousness are both great sins that we need to avoid in any context. In these difficult times, we need to uplift each other to get through. One of the key aspects that we need to encourage is having good estimation about others while continuously rectifying ourselves to become better human beings.

-Fendrri

#AlBaqarah #Quran #Ramadhan #Reflection #CeritaKamiRefleksi