“Indeed, those who disbelieved among the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. They are the worst of creation.”

There are many similar passages in the Quran. All of these include the “hypocrites,” who are inwardly disbelievers with no faith whatsoever, just as they include the “disbelievers” who openly profess disbelief. Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire, as Allah has stated in His Book.

In some passages, however, “disbelief” is mentioned alongside “hypocrisy.” At the beginning of al-Baqarah, He devotes four verses to describing the believers, two verses to describing the disbelievers, and over ten verses to describing the hypocrites. He, the Exalted, says:

“Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers together in Hell.”

And He says:

“On the Day when the hypocrite men and women will say to those who believed, ‘Wait for us, so that we may borrow some of your light.’ It will be said, ‘Go back behind you and seek light.’”

Continuing to His words:

“So today no ransom will be accepted from you, nor from those who disbelieved. Your refuge is the Fire; it is your fitting abode. What an evil destination!”

And He says in two surahs:

“O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern with them.”

And He says:

“Have you not seen the hypocrites saying to their brothers who disbelieved…”—to the end of the verse.

Likewise, the term “polytheists” is sometimes mentioned alongside the People of the Book alone, and sometimes alongside the five religious communities, as in His words, exalted is He:

“Indeed, those who believed, the Jews, the Sabians, the Christians, the Magians, and those who associated partners with Allah—Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, Allah is Witness over all things.”

And (the former case) is exemplified by His words:

“Those who disbelieved among the People of the Book and the polytheists