Interpretation of the Holy Quran (2) Sura al - Baqara, Verses 8-12

The article involves the interpretation of Sura al-Baqara, verses 8-12 explaining certain manners and actions of hypocrites towards the guidance of the holy Quran. Verse 8: The root of hypocrisy is one’s weakness of soul and, the remedy of which lying in strengthening one’s faith. The phrase “min al-nās” is used to humiliate the hypocrites. Verse 9: “khidāc” means hiding the facts in order to deceive others, “yukhadicuna” meaning to seek to deceive others, and “Shucur” being scrutiny or close examination of the things. The secret behind shifting from the expression “yukhadicuna” to that of “yakhdac una” is that hypocrites sought to plot, but they were caught in their own trap. The cause behind hypocrites’ plotting against God is considered to be infiltration of sensual desires in their hearts and their being deprived of carefulness and scrutiny. Verse 10: By “heart” in the Quran is not meant the physical organ, but the spirit or a stage of spirit which is the center or the source of distinctive human qualities.The increase in hypocrites’ sickness of heart occurs due to the universal divine law and order, since whoever follows a way out of his own volition, he would achieve the peak of perfection in that process.Verses11-12: “Fasād” means losing the benefits expected from something, and hypocrites’ “Ifsād” meaning their internal unbelief or insincerity or their weakening the Islamic society as a result of their spying. They assume themselves to be rectifiers since they are unable to distinguish “Ifsād” or corrupting from “Islah” or rectifying.