Sūrat Al-Jumuʿah, al-Munāfiqūn and at-Taghābun (Final Part)

Final part of observations of the parallels between Sūrat al-Jumuʿah, Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn and Sūrat at-Taghābun

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Last week we began observing the structural relationship that Surat at-Taghābun appears to demonstrate with the two suwar before it, Sūrat al-Jumuʿah (The Congregation) and Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn (The Hypocrites). This week we will conclude our observations of the connections between these suwar.

As a reminder, the combined contents of Sūrah al-Jumuʿah and Sūrah al-Munāfiqūn appear to form a parallel with Sūrah at-Taghābun.

CONNECTIONS

[H]/[H’] - Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn begins by detailing the false oaths and flip-flopping of the hypocrites. Allah ﷻ says that “they believed, and then they disbelieved (kafarū); so their hearts were sealed over, and they do not understand.” Another characteristic of theirs is that “if they speak, you listen to their speech.”

At the midpoint of Sūrat at-Taghābun, Allah ﷻ speaks of “the ones who disbelieved (kafarū) and denied Our signs.” In other words, they do not listen to a thing the Messenger ﷺ conveys. As mentioned in Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn, the Messenger ﷺ is too courteous to the hypocrites. He gives them attention though they pay him no heed. Those who disbelieved, Allah ﷻ informs us in Sūrat at-Taghābun, are bound for eternity in the Hellfire.

[I]/[I’] - The next characteristic of the hypocrites is that “they think that every shout is against them.” They assume that every trial they face is a result of people conspiring against them.

In contrast, the believers, in Sūrat at-Taghābun, understand that “no disaster strikes except by permission of Allah.” This revelation is immediately followed by an enjoinment to “obey Allah and the Messenger,” a command that the hypocrites have obviously failed, leading to their flawed mentality.

[J]/[J’] - Allah ﷻ concludes his description of the hypocrites saying, “they are the enemy (ʿaduww), so beware of them (faḥdhar-hum). May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?” In the same vein, Allah ﷻ warns the believers in Sūrat at-Taghābun that “among your spouses and your children are enemies (ʿaduwwā) to you, so beware of them (faḥdharū-hum).”

[K]/[K’] - In Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn, the hypocrites are encouraged to come to faith so that the Messenger ﷺ may seek their forgiveness, but they reject the offer. As a result, Allah ﷻ says, “It is all the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; never will Allah forgive them.”

On the same note, the believers in Sūrat at-Taghābun are told to look past the faults of their spouses and children and “pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

[L]/[L’] - The hypocrites are quoted as telling their followers to “not spend (lā tunfiqū)” on the Messenger ﷺ and his followers, hoping to financially ruin the believers in the process. In light of their poor decisions with their wealth, Allah ﷻ reminds the believers to not allow “your wealth (amwālu-kum) and your children (awlādu-kum) divert you from the remembrance of Allah.”

In the same way, Allah ﷻ reminds the believers in Sūrat at-Taghābun that “your wealth (amwālu-kum) and your children (awlādu-kum) are but a trial.” Contrary to popular belief, having wealth is not a sign of Allah’s pleasure, but is actually a test from Him on how we will spend it.

[M]/[M’] – In Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn, the believers are warned to “spend (anfiqū) [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, "My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be of the righteous."

Allah ﷻ repeats this towards the end of Sūrat at-Taghābun when He tells us to “fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend (anfaqū); it is better for your selves.”

[N]/[N’] – Finally, both suwar end describing Allah ﷻ. Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn concludes, “And Allah is Aware of what you do,” while Sūrat at-Taghābun describes Allah as the, “[most] Appreciative and Forbearing, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”

And Allah ﷻ knows best.

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