Islam is the religion of peace and a believer is the one who puts his complete trust in his creator and stays firm on his Imaan. He behaves in public the way he does in private as he has nothing to hide from his companions and his faithfulness is for Allah SWT only. Hypocrisy is a kind of disease that spiritually corrupts a person’s heart. A hypocrite on the day of judgment will be at the lowest depths of the hellfire for his concealed kufr. Allah says:
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ
“Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:145)
Hypocrisy means when a person’s inner beliefs contradict his behaviour and actions and such a person is called a Hypocrite. Whereas a person who behaves in a righteous manner in public and announces that his obedience is for Allah only and makes sure that in private he is with his disbelieving companions mocking the true religion. Hypocrisy in Islam is a sin and one has to seek taubah from Allah SWT. Allah says:
يَحْذَرُ الْمُنَافِقُونَ أَنْ تُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُورَةٌ تُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ
“The hypocrites are apprehensive lest a surah is revealed about them, informing them of what is in their hearts. Say, “Mock [as you wish]; indeed, Allah will expose that which you fear.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:67)
Hypocrisy in Islam is considered a great sin that makes a person lie about his belief to gain a place in society. A Hypocrite has to face severe consequences in this world and hereafter. He is in constant fear that his mask might be removed revealing his true face and he’s the most dangerous enemy of Islam. Allah has promised that there’ll be no honour for hypocrites and he will be thrown away in the hellfire for his disbelief.
Here are some signs of a hypocrite, Muslim should away to them:
- Hypocrites do not become apparent except during times of fitnah
- Hypocrites see the waves of falsehood gaining momentum
- Hypocrites argued/ debated/ disagreed with, he explodes
- Hypocrites remain on the same intention for forty years
- Hypocrites entrusted with something violates the trust
- Hypocrites delude you into denying your own sins
- Hypocrites have all illustrating signs in their life
- Hypocrites allow arrogance to grow within you
- Hypocrites make a promise that goes back
- Hypocrites resort to two-facades
- Hypocrites live with us in the dark reality
- Hypocrites conspire against the believers
- Hypocrites deceived by their sweet words
- Hypocrites silently striving to dismantle Islam
- Hypocrites don’t spend except that they regret it
- Hypocrites whenever speaks about anything lies
- Hypocrites look for faults; the believers look for excuses
- Hypocrites smile but their hearts despise the sight of them
- Hypocrites dress like the believers but behind closed doors
- Hypocrites don’t even come to the prayer except that they are lazy
Quran, being the holy book of Muslims teaches us numerous life-altering lessons. Each parah, surah, and verse has its own unique meaning and message for us Muslims to take life guidance from. Quran is not only a source of inspiration but is also a book of enlightenment, teaching, and counselling to lead a better and peaceful life. Allah says:
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَالْكُفَّارَ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ
“Allah has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the disbelievers the fire of Hell, wherein they will abide eternally. It is sufficient for them. And Allah has cursed them, and for them is an enduring punishment.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:73)
Types of Hypocrisy in Islam:
Major hypocrisy is when a person displays outward belief in the oneness of Allah SWT and the finality of Prophet Muhammad PBUH while showing complete loyalty to the disbelievers in the dark. They mock Allah’s commands and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. The inside kufr of hypocrites drags him to the hellfire on the day of judgment. Allah says:
بَشِّرِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
“Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:140)
Minor or lesser hypocrisy is related to a person’s deeds and actions that is when a person behaves in a righteous manner in the public but his heart doesn’t believe in such actions so he behaves differently in private. It is not related to one’s Imaan but it falls in one of the categories of hypocrisy. A hypocrite is someone who’s a liar and an oath breaker. His loyalty doesn’t belong to the Muslims and Allah SWT. Allah says:
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ
“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire – and never will you find for them a helper.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:49)
A hypocrite is a dangerous friend than a disbeliever enemy as he masks his hypocrisy with false loyalty and mere words. The intentions of a hypocrite are unclear to the believers and they’re played by them due to their eloquent speech and outward display of fidelity. A hypocrite thinks they’re deceiving Allah SWT whereas they’re the ones getting deceived.
Here are a few reasons why Qur’an is thought to have the best life-changing lessons:
- Quran is the book of advising, directing, guidance and training
- Quranic context, knowledge, carries a great significance
- Quran contains guidance regarding every aspect of life
- Quran told us about His attributes, names, and deeds
- Quran focuses divine light on each and every object
- Quran teaches forgive those who did wrong to you
- Quran translated the book of the universe
- Quran is a piece of knowledge and lessons
- Quran teaches us ways to make our life better
- Quran separating thereby the right from the wrong
- Quran helps in relieving stress and reducing anxiety
- Quran enlightens the Muslims through thick and thin
- Quran is a miracle in terms of its words and meaning
- Quran is the whole of not only meaning but also words
Hypocrisy is more dangerous than kufr because hypocrites in the broad daylight support the Muslims and their belief is in Allah alone, they outspokenly talk about Islam and how they love Allah and his commands are but when the night arrives, they plot against the believers in the darkness.
The Quran is a unique divine holy book because of that approaches to the understanding of the Quran:
- “Do not be rude in your speech.” (Quran 3:159)
- “and say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (Quran 20:114)
- “Surely the hypocrites will be in the lowest stage of the fire.” (Quran 4:145)
- “And when it is said to them, “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are peace-makers.” (Quran 2:11)
- “.. And there are some among you who listen for them. And Allāh is Knowing of the wrongdoers.” (Quran 9:47)
- “Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they do not perceive it.”(Quran 2:12)
- “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.” (Quran 15: 9)
They think of ways to get away with the calamities that a believer has to suffer for his Imaan. He fears to fight in the way of Allah and steps back from his support thereby revealing the kufr and his dual face. The hypocrites are the most dangerous enemies of believers due to their corrupted hearts. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ الْكُفَّارَ وَالْمُنَافِقِينَ وَاغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ
“O Prophet, fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:77)
Allah has made the believers peace loving and faithful to His Deen. A group of people known as hypocrites has been described as the most dangerous enemy of Islam and Muslims. They’re the ones that create chaos and mischief on Earth through their hypocritical nature. They sow doubts in the hearts of the believers by speaking about the religion negatively in a persuasive manner. The Holy Quran describes such people as the mischief-makers on the face of Earth. Allah says:
وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ
“And Allah will surely make evident those who believe, and He will surely make evident the hypocrites.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:1)
Allah is the knower of all things and they won’t be able to get away with the punishment that Allah has decided for them and they’ll be questioned about their hypocrisy and face the consequences of their extreme hypocrisy. As Allah knows everything and he puts a seal on the hearts of such people. Allah SWT opens the horizons of hope for such people, offering a way to renege on their erroneous ways and be counted amongst the believing people.
