O mankind: this is a summons from Allah to all people—believers and unbelievers alike—for in this surah, al-Baqarah, He has shown that humanity falls into three groups.

The first group is the believers: those who believe in the unseen and in the Last Day. Concerning them He said, “Those are upon guidance from their Lord, and it is they who are successful.” [al-Baqarah: 5]

The second group is the disbelievers who openly display their rejection and obstinacy. About them the Almighty said, “Indeed, those who disbelieve—whether you warn them or do not warn them—it is all the same; they will not believe.” [al-Baqarah: 6]

The third group is the hypocrites, who are neither with the unbelievers nor with the believers: “wavering between the two, belonging neither to these nor to those.” [al-Nisaʾ: 143] Outwardly they claim faith, yet inwardly they are disbelievers. These are worse than those who publicly proclaim their unbelief. Thus, a little over ten verses were revealed about them, whereas only a few were revealed about the believers and two about the disbelievers. The discussion of the hypocrites begins with His words, “Among the people are those who say, ‘We believe…’” [al-Baqarah: 8] and continues to, “The lightning almost snatches away their sight.” [al-Baqarah: 20]