"Faith from the Heart, Not Just the Tongue

Surah Al-Baqarah – Verse 8: A Deep and Simple Explanation

The Verse:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ ٨

“And among the people are some who say, ‘We believe in Allah and in the Last Day,’ but they are not true believers.”

(Qur’an 2:8)

🌟 What Is This Verse About?

This verse is talking about a group of people who say they believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment—but in truth, they don’t believe at all. Their faith is only on their tongues, not in their hearts. Allah is pointing out that just saying you believe is not enough if you don’t actually mean it and act upon it.

Let’s break it down and understand the verse part by part.

🧍‍♂️ “And among the people…”

Allah begins by saying that among the people—so He’s not talking about outsiders or a specific group. This means such people can be found within the Muslim community, blending in like everyone else.

These people are not easily noticeable. They don’t walk around saying, “Hey, I’m not a true believer.” No—they mix in, speak like Muslims, even perform some actions like praying or fasting, but deep down, they don’t believe.

💬 “…are some who say, ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day…’”

This is the key point. These individuals claim to believe in:

Allah – the One and Only God, Creator of everything.

The Last Day – the Day of Judgment, when everyone will be held accountable.

These are two of the most important pillars of faith in Islam. By saying they believe in them, they try to present themselves as sincere Muslims.

But remember: anyone can say anything. Words are easy to speak, but actions and intentions are what truly matter.

🚫 “…but they are not true believers.”

Here, Allah clearly says that their words are not real. They’re lying, either to themselves, to others, or both.

Allah is teaching us something very important here: Faith is not just a statement. It’s a belief that lives in the heart, is shown by the tongue, and backed up by good actions.

If someone claims to be a believer but:

Lies often

Cheats people

Never prays

Doesn’t care about right or wrong

Only pretends to be Muslim for benefits (like fame, safety, money, or influence)

…then that person may be like the one described in this verse.

🔍 Who Were These People in the Prophet’s Time?

During the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, there were people in Madinah who accepted Islam only on the outside. They didn’t actually believe in their hearts, but they didn’t want to be left out or harmed, so they pretended.

They were called the Munafiqoon (hypocrites).

When they were with Muslims, they said, “We believe!”

But when they were alone or with their own people, they laughed at Islam or mocked the Prophet.

Their goal was not to follow Islam sincerely—they just wanted to gain benefits and avoid problems.

This verse was revealed to warn us about such people—and to teach us to avoid being like them.

💡 What Can We Learn From This?

This verse isn’t just about people from 1400 years ago. It applies to us today too.

Here are some powerful lessons:

1. Faith Must Be Genuine

Belief in Allah and the Last Day should come from the heart. It's not about pretending. Allah knows what’s truly inside us, even if we hide it from others.

2. Check Yourself Often

We should regularly ask ourselves:

Am I doing this for Allah?

Am I sincere in my belief?

Do my actions match my words?

3. Beware of Hypocrisy

Sometimes, we fall into small acts of hypocrisy without realizing. Like:

Saying something but doing the opposite

Promising something and breaking it

Showing off in worship

If we spot this in ourselves, we should quickly ask Allah for forgiveness and try to improve.

4. Allah Knows Everything

Even if we manage to fool people, we can never fool Allah. He sees our intentions. That’s why it’s so important to be honest—with ourselves and with Him.

🤲 A Short and Powerful Dua:

“O Allah, make my faith true and firm in my heart. Protect me from hypocrisy, and let my words and actions be sincere for You.” Ameen.

📝 Final Thoughts

Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 8 is a reminder for all of us: True belief is more than words. It’s a commitment that starts in the heart, shows on the tongue, and shines through our actions.

Let’s not just say “we believe.” Let’s live like we believe—with sincerity, honesty, and love for Allah.

May Allah make us among the true believers and protect us from becoming like those who only pretend. Ameen. 🌙