The Quran

Preface

۞ وَإِذا رَأَيتَهُم تُعجِبُكَ أَجسامُهُم ۖ وَإِن يَقولوا تَسمَع لِقَولِهِم ۖ كَأَنَّهُم خُشُبٌ مُسَنَّدَةٌ ۖ يَحسَبونَ كُلَّ صَيحَةٍ عَلَيهِم ۚ هُمُ العَدُوُّ فَاحذَرهُم ۚ قاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۖ أَنّىٰ يُؤفَكونَ

Yusuf Ali

When thou lookest at them, their exteriors¹ please thee; and when they speak, thou listenest to their words. They are as (worthless as hollow) pieces of timber propped up,² (unable to stand on their own). They think that every cry is against them.³ They are the enemies; so beware of them. The curse of God be on them! How are they deluded (away from the Truth)!

The Hypocrites at all times are plausible people, and so were the Hypocrites of Medīna. They present a fine exterior; they dress well; they can usually afford fine equipages; they try to win the confidence of everyone, as they have no scruples in telling lies, and apparently expressing agreement with everyone. Their words are fair-spoken, and as truth does not check their tongues, their flattery and deception know no bounds. But all this is on the outside. As they have no sincerity, nothing that they say or do is worth anything.
Good timber is strong in itself and can support roofs and buildings. Hollow timber is useless, and has to be propped up against other things. The Hypocrites are like rotten timber. They have no firm character themselves, and for others they are unsafe props to rely upon.
Their conscience always troubles them. If any cry is raised, they immediately get alarmed, and think it is against themselves. Such men are worse than open enemies.