Al-Baqarah 204: There are those among people whose sayings you like regarding the worldly life. He even makes Allah a witness for (the sayings to be consistent with) what he has in his heart. However, he is the fiercest of enemies.

Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 204 — look what our Lord decrees in it. Among people there are some whose words about the life of this world please you. Exactly so. (?) — actually it is saying it to us. There are such people who say words (?). Indeed such a person calls Allah to witness that his words match what is in his heart, and says: I'm telling you the truth, I'm saying it in your favour, that is, I'm on your side; from his heart — believe this truly, he says — but actually he has enmity toward you. He hides it in his heart. Whereas he is the fiercest of enemies, look. The fiercest. Why? Because you have an enemy, he is hostile to you.

It's clear; he keeps away from you. And you take precautions against him. But this one is a hypocrite. He strikes you at your weakest point. At your weakest point. Yes.

This verse was revealed about Akhnas ibn Shariq.

Shurayk was a very handsome and very well-spoken hypocrite. Yes. This man, thinking he would deceive Allah's Messenger with his words, would come into the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him), make very fine speeches and put on a show of being Muslim.

A hypocrite is like that. He finds gilded words that will please people and tells them. He enjoys it; when he speaks to him like that, words that will (?) him, win his heart — when he says such words, he enjoys it. Why does he enjoy it? He enjoys it because he is getting closer to his enmity toward him. He is getting closer to his enmity. I mean, how does one person find another's weak spot? He gets strong, and when he overpowers him, he (?) and gets on his throat. And this one — the weak spot — with gilded words, binding his heart to himself, takes pleasure, since he has come closer to the enmity he will do him.

These are the traits of hypocrites.

But this hypocrite's heart is full of enmity and hatred. (?). His heart, with enmity and hatred. His whole work is to harm the Muslims and to take pleasure in the harm they suffer. This verse was revealed about such people. So, people who approach you saying sweet words, wanting to come under your protection, whose true nature you don't know — do not attach your hearts to them. People in three places reveal themselves.

Where? In three places. One, on a journey. You look at his companionship. Does he think of his own benefit? Does he think of his own gain? Or does he help you? Two, at meals. Does he take the best of the food for himself? Does he cast his eye on the food you are eating? Third, in buying and selling, in trade. Is he feathering his own nest, does he think of you too? Does he look after your interests? By these three traits people reveal themselves. Yes. Among people there are some whose words about the life of this world please you. He knows your weak side. What is your weak side? You love praying.

He prays behind you, beside you, on your right, on your left.

This way, he approaches you like this.

People who appear as if they have believed (?) we call hypocrites. They commit every kind of trickery for their worldly gain. For worldly gain. Because they recognise no religion, book, faith, Allah or Messenger. Their whole existence is to live for the day, to live in the finest way, and, by deceiving the person in front of them, to profit from him. And for that he takes on whatever colour he wants. Hypocrites. But since their hearts are full of rancour and hatred, the moment they find the chance, they do not hold back from harming Muslims. So when that person finds your weak side — why did he approach you in the first place?

He approached to harm you. He (?) you to himself with fine words, took his gain from you; if you are his master, his pasha, or above him, he can't stomach that anyway; he is your enemy, and the moment he finds the chance he'll put you under his feet and trample you.

Yes. Such people, taking advantage of the believers' faith, to the lies they tell also swear, calling Allah to witness. To make you believe. (?), I am saying it like this, he says. By Allah, he says, he swears. Allah protect us. These are Satan's playthings, such people. Satan too says so. Swearing by Allah is the amusement of my heart, he says.

Why? That's what Satan says. Swearing by Allah is the amusement of my heart. Why does he say it? For him there is no salvation anymore. And there is no return for him. He will not turn back. He doesn't turn back. For this reason. I'm destined for hell anyway, he says. He's content with that too. Content with hell. That is how they made their pact. With Allah Almighty. So swearing by Allah is an amusement for him. An amusement. So beware of those who swear about every little thing. A person who will believe the truth of your word only with an oath — do not value him.

This is how I say it. Believe it if you want, don't if you don't, brother, you say. And Allah Almighty says: do not swear about everything. Do not call Allah as witness, He says. In that case, my character, my being, my word if you don't believe, shall I, by calling Allah to witness, adapt myself to you and make you believe? This is the doing of people without character. If the man said to you: will you swear to me (?) by Allah whether this is true — ah, then it changes. What do you say? Yes. I am telling the truth. (?) Allah is my witness. This is my word, you say. But not for any old thing. Valla billah, it's like this.

Valla billah, I did it that way. And besides, I am the one saying it. Why should I call Allah as witness? Shall I say billah to Allah? Yes. But for them it's the amusement of their hearts. And he swears strongly at that. To make you believe, he finds oaths you'd never think of, tells you, comes up with them. Well, you are a Muslim after all; you believe him. You say: this man must be telling the truth.

Yes.

Such people take advantage of the believers, of their faith; to the lies they tell they also swear, calling Allah to witness. Such people are the (?) of enemies, of enemies. Because you know your enemy; this is my enemy — you know him too. But how could you know the person who has come close to you and will strike you in your heart's core?

It comes to my mind now, in (?), you know, the ruler Napoleon's — whom he raised at his side like an adopted son and loved more than his own child — there is Brutus.

...they want to kill Napoleon.

Brutus joins them too.

Finding the chance... ...those who want to kill Napoleon... ...when they plunge their daggers... ...he sees that Brutus is among them too. What does he say? You too, Brutus? Yes. You know, the person I trusted so much. That's what hypocrites are like. Once he finds the chance, he takes you out. One must beware of them.

So Allah Almighty says: people who speak so nicely and say things that will please you — without testing them, without knowing their states, do not believe people and do not be deceived by them, He decrees. He shows a fine way. Never believe such people and do not be deceived. Yes. People — against such people, us, against such people Allah Almighty warns.