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lā taḥsabanna lladhīna yafraḥūna bi-mā ʾataw wa-yuḥibbūna ʾan yuḥmadū bi-mā lam yafʿalū fa-lā taḥsabannahum bi-mafāzatin mina l-ʿadhābi wa-lahum ʿadhābun ʾalīmun
Do not suppose those who brag about what they have done, and love to be praised for what they have not done—do not suppose them saved from punishment and there is a painful punishment for them.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah 'Ali-Imran, Verse 188
188. "Do not think those who rejoice in what they have done and love to be praised for what they have not done, so do not think that they would be safe from the punishment and they will have a painful torment."
There are always some hypocrites in the society who like to be treated, in spite of their hypocrisy, as the believers. It is exactly similar to the cowards who wish to be entitled with bravery, and the ignorant and people with a little knowledge who are pleased to be called 'learned'. Sometimes they appear in the society with a state to inspire people that they have the best titles and ranks. But these persons are some deceitful ones who never embrace prosperity.
Basically, people are divided into three groups:
1. Those who strive with effort and endeavour and intend that none know it but Allah. The example of this group is those who say:
2. Those who work with the motive that people know it and praise them.
3. Those who expect people to praise them without doing anything good. Such persons are referred to in this verse.
Footnotes