“Among people there are some who say: ‘We believe in Allah.’ But when such a person is made to endure suffering in Allah’s cause, he reckons the persecution he suffers at the hands of people as though it is a chastisement from Allah. But if victory comes from your Lord, the same person will say: ‘We were with you.’ Does Allah not know whatever is in the hearts of the people of the world?”
(Al Qur’ān – 29:10)
Although the speaker in this ayah is a single individual, he employs a plural pronoun for himself and says: “We believe in Allah.” ImāmRāzī makes an insightful comment about this. According to him, a hypocrite always tries to parade himself as part of the believers’ community. He mentions his faith to be the same as the believers’. In so doing, his behaviour is similar to that of a coward who accompanies an army on expedition.
A hypocrite, filled with fear of persecution by Islam’s enemies, recants the true faith and gives up righteous acts. He carefully weighs the pros and cons of the two options, of following his faith or joining unbelievers’ camp. He is shrewd enough not to totally exclude the possibility that some day Islam might gain ascendency. So, whenever he gets the chance to interact with the Muslims, he lavishly praises their beliefs, claims that he considers their doctrines true and pays glowing tributes to their sacrifices in the cause of Truth. So doing, he makes a kind of investment, hoping to cash it in at an appropriate moment.