and righteous deeds are mentioned, for when a ruling is attached to an appropriate derived designation, the quality from which that designation is derived is the cause of the ruling.
If it is objected:
“The hypocrites were outwardly Muslims,”
The response is:
The hypocrites were not characterized by these attributes; they were not with the Messenger and the believers, nor were they among them. Allah Most High says:
“Perhaps Allah will bring about victory or a decision from Himself, whereupon they will become remorseful for what they concealed within themselves. Those who believe will say, ‘Are these the ones who swore their strongest oaths by Allah that they were indeed with you?’ Their deeds have come to nothing, and thus they have become losers.”
[Surah al-Mā’idah: 52–53] (1).
And in His words, Most High:
“Among the people are those who say, ‘We believe in Allah,’ but when one of them is harmed for the sake of Allah, he regards persecution by people as though it were Allah’s punishment. Yet if victory comes from your Lord, they will surely say, ‘We were indeed with you.’ Does Allah not know best what lies within the breasts of all creatures? Allah will surely make evident those who believe, and He will surely make evident the hypocrites.”
[Surah al-‘Ankabūt: 10–11].
And He said:
“Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers all together in Hell—those who wait to see what happens to you. If you receive a victory from Allah, they say, ‘Were we not with you?’ But if the disbelievers have a share, they say, ‘Did we not gain an advantage over you and protect you from the believers?’ Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Surah al-Nisā’: 140–141].
Until His words:
“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire, and you will never find any helper for them—except those who repent, mend their ways, hold fast to Allah, and devote their religion sincerely to Allah. Those will be with the believers, and Allah will grant the believers a tremendous reward.”
[Surah al-Nisā’: 145–146].