“Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.” 

Read the verses first and then come back for an understanding of what it means and what lessons can be taken away from them.

Qualities of the Hypocrite V8-18

The hypocrite has the disease of being around both the Muslims and the pagans, pandering to both groups. They seek to deceive Allah and the believers, however how can they do this to the all mighty & all knowing Allah. The sickness that is inside them only intensifies and amplifies to the point that they wander and transgress so freely that they've believed in their own lie of tricking their Lord and the believers. When the believers say "Do not spread corruption in the land" they reply, "We are only peace-markers!". This is when the believers would catch them with their pagan compatriots. The hypocrites would argue that they only want to make peace between Muslims and their enemies.

An example of the hypocrite is that of someone who kindles a fire, but when it lights up all around them, Allah takes away their light, leaving them in complete darkness-unable to see. The kindle fire is the faith that the hypocrite shrouds himself in to protect himself and his wealth, just as a lit fire does in the dark. However, when Allah rips that fire away from them, complete darkness engulfs his surroundings leaving him in distress and blind. The light of faith may protect the hypocrite for a period of time, however once death extinguishes the light, that is it. There is no more chances.

May Allah protect us from being hypocrites, Ameen.