Verse 12: On that Day you will see believing men and women with their light shining ahead of them and on their right. ˹They will be told,˺ “Today you have good news of Gardens, under which rivers flow, ˹for you˺ to stay in forever. This is ˹truly˺ the ultimate triumph.”

Verse 13: On that Day hypocrite men and women will beg the believers, “Wait for us so that we may have some of your light.” It will be said ˹mockingly˺, “Go back ˹to the world˺ and seek a light ˹there˺!” Then a ˹separating˺ wall with a gate will be erected between them. On the near side will be grace and on the far side will be torment.

Verse 14: The tormented will cry out to those graced, “Were we not with you?” They will reply, “Yes ˹you were˺. But you chose to be tempted ˹by hypocrisy˺, ˹eagerly˺ awaited ˹our demise˺, doubted ˹the truth˺, and were deluded by false hopes until Allah’s decree ˹of your death˺ came to pass. And ˹so˺ the Chief Deceiver (ie., the devil) deceived you about Allah.

Verse 15: So Today no ransom will be accepted from you ˹hypocrites˺, nor from the disbelievers. Your home is the Fire—it is the ˹only˺ fitting place for you. What an evil destination!”

The bridge over hellfire

On the Day of Judgement, people will be required to cross over the Sirat (the bridge over hellfire). To assist them while crossing, Allah will grant the believers a light. Both the speed at which they cross, and the amount of light they are given, will be based on their level of good deeds.

ʿAbdullāh bin Mas’ud (a great companion of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) described this scene as follows:

“… Some of them will have a light as large as a mountain, some as large as a date tree, some as big as a man in the standing position. The least among them has a light as big as his index finger, it is lit at times and extinguished at other times.” (Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir)...Shaykh Salman Al-ʿOdah said: Strong iman (faith/belief) is like a source of light that makes clear to you the path of goodness in this life and then lights the path of the afterlife towards Paradise”.

Therefore, we are instructed to purify our intentions and maximize our good deeds so that we do not face the same plight as the hypocrites.

The state of the hypocrites on the Day of Judgement

The hypocrites are disbelievers who claim to be Muslim and may even display outward signs of Islam. However, they do not actually believe. The Quran describes them as “liars, arrogant, grandiose, useless in reality, enemies to the believers, people to be cautious of, cursed by Allah, and promised a punishment…”

Since hypocrites displayed outward signs of Islam, but internally disbelieved, they will initially be given a light on the Day of Judgement. However, their light will not last.

“…Just as their “light” in this life was an illusion, the light given to them in the afterlife is also an illusion. This “light” will be based on their treatment of the Truth, thus it will be extinguished as a result of their hypocrisy”.

The characteristics of the hypocrites

After their light is extinguished, the hypocrites will call out to the believers, asking them to share their light. The hypocrites will say to the believers, ‘Were we not with you?’

The believers will respond that the hypocrites were indeed with them, physically, in the dunya (previous worldly life). The hypocrites were present with the believers during prayers, pilgrimages, and may have even participated in some of the expeditions. Despite their physical presence, the hypocrites also fell into a number of questionable actions. Table 1, below, outlines the difference between the internal and external actions of the hypocrites versus the believers:

While people may be able to deceive others, and even themselves, in this life, Allah knows the reality that exists inside their hearts. “Being Muslim in disguise does not provide good to anyone, in this life or the next. Showing off to others does not provide good to anyone, in this life or the next. The two parties – believers and hypocrites – will separate in the afterlife based on their submission to the truth, not on disguises”.

True justice exists in the hereafter

In this life, criminals can seek refuge in wealth and political power. However, in the hereafter, no ransom – of wealth, status, lineage, or otherwise – will be taken. Each person will bear the burden of their own deeds.

“What better home exists for the hypocrites than the Fire, and what better home exists for the believers than Paradise?”

So, hold tight to the Truth and obey Allah. Whenever you experience or witness heinous crimes, know that Allah is All Powerful and Just. The eternal home awaits everyone.

Implementing these verses

1. Our goal should be to strengthen our light in this life and the hereafter. Take a moment to reflect on the following: What motivates you? What are your life circumstances? How can you use the overlap between these two areas to build your light?
2. Righteous company does not guarantee your success in the hereafter. However, it is still important because it influences your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. How does your social circle help or hinder your Islamic efforts?
3. In these verses, we are taught that the hypocrites fall into temptations. While everyone sins, it is imperative for a believer to actively work towards reducing their pitfalls. What can you do to eliminate or minimize different types of temptations?