and outwardly, for both the elite and ordinary people, in this life and the Hereafter. However, keeping ordinary people in check is one of the benefits of the punishments prescribed in this world. As ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān—may Allah be pleased with him—said:

“Indeed, Allah restrains through governing authority what He does not restrain through the Quran.”

Hypocrites and the wicked are deterred by the punishments they witness and restrained from violating prohibitions. This is one of the benefits of the prescribed punishments administered by the ruler.

As for the benefits of the commands and prohibitions, they are too great for any discourse or book to enumerate. Indeed, they encompass every good that is sought and desired, while departing from them entails every evil and corruption.

These people’s claim to belong to the elite places them among the very dregs of the hypocrites among ordinary people. They fall within Allah’s description of the hypocrites in His words:

“Among the people are those who say, ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day,’ but they are not believers.”

“They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive none but themselves, though they do not realize it.”

“In their hearts is a disease, and Allah has increased their disease. They will have a painful punishment because they used to lie.”

“When they are told, ‘Do not spread corruption on earth,’ they say, ‘We are only setting things right.’”

“Indeed, it is they who spread corruption, but they do not realize it.”

“When they are told, ‘Believe as the people have believed,’ they say, ‘Shall we believe as the fools have believed?’ Indeed, it is they who are the fools, but they do not know.”

And so on, until His words:

“Deaf, dumb and blind, they will not return.”

They also fall within such words of His as:

“Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you? They wish