Episode 10
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. Dear brothers, today we conclude the discussion on the characteristics of hypocrisy in the tenth episode, although the topic is very extensive if one wishes to give it its due. We only wanted these episodes to revive awareness in our hearts as we read the detailed verses about the characteristics of hypocrisy, so that each of us may confront himself and hold himself accountable before the appointed time and the closing of the book of deeds. Many people imagine that hypocrisy is only from a person who has no good in him at all, with not a speck of faith in his heart, and who harbors enmity and hatred for Islam, fearing that people will find out about it. In reality, hypocrites of this nature are relatively few compared to those who have less severe and obvious hypocrisy. This type of hypocrisy is more widespread, and few are immune to it. It usually remains hidden even from its bearers in most cases, so they do not see the verses of hypocrisy speaking about them nor do they seek purification for their hearts.
Today we conclude with the discussion of the characteristic of being preoccupied with oneself while neglecting the issues of the nation and Islam. When the battle raged against the Muslims on the day of Uhud and seventy of them were killed and it was rumored that the Messenger of Allah was killed, a great sorrow befell the Muslims...On the other hand, there was a group that was not concerned with any of this but was preoccupied with something else....Allah the Almighty said: ((And a group of them were preoccupied with themselves)). These people do not feel a sense of belonging to the nation of Muhammad (peace be upon him), so they do not care about the wounds of the sword of Islam or what awaits the Islamic call after the enemies have taken from it what they took in this battle...for they have been preoccupied with themselves...they do not care about the widows of the martyrs of Uhud or the orphaned children...for they have been preoccupied with themselves.
In our days, brothers...how painful it is to see a Muslim, in the name of Islam and with Muslim parents, yet completely oblivious to the issues of his nation, not following the news of the Muslims, not knowing their wounds, and therefore not offering them anything, not even prayers, nor even contributing to reviving their just causes and supporting them, even verbally. For he has been preoccupied with himself and distracted from the nation to which he belongs. His map of thought is himself and rarely goes beyond that!
One of these people may be concerned and grieved by the spread of baldness on his forehead more than he is concerned about the occupation of Hindus in Burma, Kashmir, or Gujarat. He may be grieved by the fall of a tooth more than he is grieved by what is happening to the Muslims in Syria, Ahvaz, Mali, or elsewhere.
You may say to one of them: This article explains the situation of the Muslims in such and such country and provides practical steps to support their cause to the extent of one's ability and energy, and his response will be: To be honest, I am busy these days...then you see this busy person minutes later telling his friends about the goal scored by such and such player in the goal of such and such team!! If we are like this, brothers, how can we belong to the nation about which Allah said: ((And indeed, this nation of yours is one nation, and I am your Lord, so fear Me))? And by what right do we belong to the nation of Muhammad (peace be upon him)? The one who said: ((The example of believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is like the example of a single body))? How can one who does not care about the affairs of the nation belong to it? Are we then among the believers or among those who have been preoccupied with themselves? We ask Allah to rectify our deeds and words and to employ us in the support of the religion and the defense of the oppressed. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.