A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
Striving against the hypocrites.
Allah, the Almighty and Exalted, says:
"O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them."
"Their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination."
The intended meaning of 'hypocrites' here
refers to those who conceal disbelief while outwardly displaying Islam to deceive the believers.
Their danger is more severe than that of the disbelievers,
because the disbeliever is known, and their danger can be guarded against.
As for the hypocrite, the believers feel secure with them due to the Islam they display,
yet they gain access to their private vulnerabilities and ally themselves with their enemies.
This is why their punishment on the Day of Resurrection is more severe than the punishment of the disbelievers.
The Almighty says:
“Lo! the hypocrites (will be) in the lowest deep of the Fire, and thou wilt find no helper for them;” (4:145)
“Lo! the hypocrites (will be) in the lowest deep of the Fire, and thou wilt find no helper for them;” (4:145)
The intended meaning of striving against them
is for the Muslims to remain in a state of constant caution regarding them,
to expose them, and to be harsh toward them.
As the jurist and exegete Ibn al-Arabi described this striving,
it is an obligation of the tongue,
and it is a perpetual duty.
From this precise description of striving against the hypocrites,
we derive some distinctions between the two obligations: striving against the disbelievers and striving against the hypocrites.
Among them, firstly:
Striving against the disbelievers fluctuates and changes according to different circumstances, times, and places.
As for the hypocrites,
striving against them is constant and perpetual in times of both peace and war,
and in every place and time.
Secondly:
The enmity of the hypocrites is concealed and hidden,
whereas the enmity of the disbelievers is apparent and clear.
That which is hidden is more dangerous than that which is declared.
Therefore, the Glorified One said regarding the hypocrites:
"They are the enemy, so beware of them."
Thirdly:
The danger of the hypocrites usually comes from within the Muslim ranks,
while the danger of the disbelievers usually comes from the outside.
The danger from the outside cannot always succeed without support from the inside.
Reality bears witness to this,
as seen in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Fourthly:
Striving against the disbelievers may be an individual obligation or a communal one,
and it may be waived due to valid excuses.
As for striving against the hypocrites,
it is not subject to being waived.
It is an individual obligation upon every accountable person according to their capacity.
The correct understanding and sound stance regarding striving against the hypocrites is summarized as follows:
First:
Detesting them and disavowing them, their characteristics, and their actions,
as well as shunning them and their gatherings.
This is part of the striving of the heart against them.
Second:
Exposing them, unmasking them, and revealing their secrets,
monitoring their news, plans, and media outlets,
and labeling them with the name Allah has given them: the hypocrites.
Third:
Striving against them with the tongue,
and what serves as its equivalent, such as writing and other means,
repelling their plots and misconceptions,
warning people against them and against their lies, deception, and cunning,
and establishing the proof against them.
Fourth:
Removing them from positions of influence within the Ummah,
and inspecting the internal ranks is important,
especially the ranks of the callers to Islam and the mujahidin.
One must be wary of praising them or arguing on their behalf.
Fifth:
Refraining from praying behind them or performing the funeral prayer for them,
and not seeking forgiveness for them if their disbelief is manifest and they die in that state.
Sixth:
Admonishing them, rebuking them, advising them, and calling them to repentance.
Seventh:
Passing judgment of apostasy upon them if any of the nullifiers of Islam become manifest from them,
and carrying out the prescribed punishment for apostasy upon them.
Eighth:
Striving against them with the hand and being harsh toward them if there is safety from discord or corruption,
and striving to paralyze their movement and effectiveness.
The Glorified One said regarding striving against them with the hand:
"If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease and those who spread rumors in the city do not cease..."
“If the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, and the alarmists in the city do not cease, We verily shall urge thee on against them, then they will be your neighbours in it but a little while.” (33:60)
And the Almighty said:
"Say, 'Do you await for us except one of the two best things?'"
“Say: Can ye await for us aught save one of two good things (death or victory in Allah's way)? while we await for you that Allah will afflict you with a doom from Him or at our hands. Await then! Lo! We are awaiting with you.” (9:52)
The scholars of Tafsir said:
"Or by our hands," meaning through killing,
"If you manifest what is in your hearts, we will kill you."
A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.