The danger of hypocrisy
- Categories: Asceticism and Heart Softening -
What is hypocrisy and how dangerous is it for the Muslims?
Praise be to Allaah.
Hypocrisy is a serious sickness and a great crime. It means making
an outward display of Islam whilst inwardly concealing kufr.
Hypocrisy is more dangerous than kufr (disbelief) and the
punishment for it is more severe, because it is kufr mixed with
Islam and its harmful effects are greater. Hence Allaah will put
the hypocrites in the lowest level of Hell, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the
Fire; no helper will you find for them[al-Nisaa' 4:145].
{إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ
الأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيراً}
Transliteration: 'Inna Al-Munāfiqīna Fī Ad-Darki Al-'Asfali Mina
An-Nāri Wa Lan Tajida Lahum Naşīrāan
The hypocrites are always confused, always planning deceit and
plots. Although outwardly they appear to be with the believers,
inwardly they are with the kaafireen. So sometimes they are
inclined towards the believers and sometimes they are inclined
towards the kaafireen.
"(They are) swaying between this and that, belonging neither to
these nor to those; and he whom Allaah sends astray, you will not
find for him a way (to the truth - Islam)" [al-Nisaa' 4:143 -
interpretation of the meaning].
{مُّذَبْذَبِينَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ لاَ
إِلَى هَـؤُلاء وَلاَ إِلَى هَـؤُلاء وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللّهُ فَلَن
تَجِدَ لَهُ سَبِيلاً}
Transliteration: Mudhabdhabīna Bayna Dhālika Lā 'Ilá Hā'uulā' Wa Lā
'Ilá Hā'uulā' Wa Man Yuđlili Allāhu Falan Tajida Lahu
Sabīlāan
Because of the corruption of their hearts, the hypocrites are the
most averse of mankind to the religion of Allaah, as Allaah tells
us about them (interpretation of the meaning):
"And when it is said to them: 'Come to what Allaah has sent down
and to the Messenger (Muhammad),' you (Muhammad) see the hypocrites
turn away from you (Muhammad) with aversion" [al-Nisaa'
4:61].
{وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا
إِلَىٰ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَإِلَى الرَّسُولِ رَأَيْتَ
الْمُنَافِقِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنْكَ صُدُودًا}
Transliteration: Wa 'Idhā Qīla Lahum Ta`ālaw 'Ilá Mā 'Anzala Allāhu
Wa 'Ilá Ar-Rasūli Ra'ayta Al-Munāfiqīna Yaşuddūna `Anka
Şudūdāan
The dealings of the hypocrites revolve around their own interests.
When they meet the believers, they make a show of belief and
loyalty, in order to deceive the believers and as an action of
dissimulation, hoping for whatever good and war-booty they have.
But when they meet their masters and chiefs, they say, we are with
you in your shirk and kufr. Allaah says concerning them
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And when they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe," but
when they are alone with their Shayaateen (devils - polytheists,
hypocrites), they say: "Truly, we are with you; verily, we were but
mocking
Allaah mocks at them and gives them increase in their wrong-doing
to wander blindly" [al-Baqarah 2:14-15].
{وَإِذَا لَقُواْ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ
قَالُواْ آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْاْ إِلَى شَيَاطِينِهِمْ قَالُواْ
إِنَّا مَعَكْمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِئُونَ (14) اللّهُ
يَسْتَهْزِئُ بِهِمْ وَيَمُدُّهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ
يَعْمَهُونَ}
Transliteration: Wa 'Idhā Laqū Al-Ladhīna 'Āmanū Qālū 'Āmannā Wa
'Idhā Khalaw 'Ilá Shayāţīnihim Qālū 'Innā Ma`akum 'Innamā Naĥnu
Mustahzi'ūna, Allāhu Yastahzi'u Bihim Wa Yamudduhum Fī Ţughyānihim
Ya`mahūna
The hypocrites have many characteristics, the worst and most
serious of which is disbelief in Allaah. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And when it is said to them (hypocrites): 'Believe as the people
(followers of Muhammad, Al-Ansaar and Al-Muhaajiroon) have
believed,' they say: 'Shall we believe as the fools have believed?'
Verily, they are the fools, but they know not" [al-Baqarah
2:13].
{وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ آمِنُواْ كَمَا
آمَنَ النَّاسُ قَالُواْ أَنُؤْمِنُ كَمَا آمَنَ السُّفَهَاء أَلا
إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ السُّفَهَاء وَلَـكِن لاَّ يَعْلَمُونَ}
Transliteration: Wa 'Idhā Qīla Lahum 'Āminū Kamā 'Āmana An-Nāsu
Qālū 'Anu'uminu Kamā 'Āmana As-Sufahā'u 'Alā 'Innahum Humu
As-Sufahā'u Wa Lakin Lā Ya`lamūna
Among their characteristics are enmity and envy (hasad) towards the
believers, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"If good befalls you (O Muhammad), it grieves them, but if a
calamity overtakes you, they say: 'We took our precaution
beforehand' and they turn away rejoicing" [al-Tawbah 9:50].
{إِن تُصِبْكَ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ
وَإِن تُصِبْكَ مُصِيبَةٌ يَقُولُواْ قَدْ أَخَذْنَا أَمْرَنَا مِن
قَبْلُ وَيَتَوَلَّواْ وَّهُمْ فَرِحُونَ}
Transliteration: 'In Tuşibka Ĥasanatun Tasu'uhum Wa 'In Tuşibka
Muşībatun Yaqūlū Qad 'Akhadhnā 'Amranā Min Qablu Wa Yatawallaw Wa
Hum Fariĥūna
Among their characteristics is mockery of Allaah, His Messenger and
His religion. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"If you ask them (about this), they declare: 'We were only talking
idly and joking.' Say: 'Was it at Allaah, and His Ayaat (proofs,
evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His
Messenger that you were mocking?'
Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed" [al-Tawbah
9:65-66].
{وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ
إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَخُوضُ وَنَلْعَبُ قُلْ أَبِاللّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ
وَرَسُولِهِ كُنتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِئُونَ (65) لاَ تَعْتَذِرُواْ قَدْ
كَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ}
Transliteration: Wa La'in Sa'altahum Layaqūlunna 'Innamā Kunnā
Nakhūđu Wa Nal`abu Qul 'Abiālllahi Wa 'Āyātihi Wa Rasūlihi Kuntum
Tastahzi'ūna, Lā Ta`tadhirū Qad Kafartum Ba`da 'Īmānikum
Among their characteristics is that they spread corruption on
earth, with disbelief, hypocrisy and sins. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"And when it is said to them: 'Make not mischief on the earth,'
they say: 'We are only peacemakers.'
Verily, they are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not"
[al-Baqarah 2:11-12].
{وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لاَ تُفْسِدُواْ
فِي الأَرْضِ قَالُواْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ (11) أَلا
إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَـكِن لاَّ
يَشْعُرُونَ}
Transliteration: Wa 'Idhā Qīla Lahum Lā Tufsidū Fī Al-'Arđi Qālū
'Innamā Naĥnu Muşliĥūna, 'Alā 'Innahum Humu Al-Mufsidūna Wa Lakin
Lā Yash`urūna
Among their characteristics are slander and lies. Allaah tells us
about them (interpretation of the meaning):
"They swear by Allaah that they are truly, of you while they are
not of you, but they are a people (hypocrites) who are afraid (that
you may kill them)" [al-Tawbah 9:56].
{وَيَحْلِفُونَ بِاللّهِ إِنَّهُمْ
لَمِنكُمْ وَمَا هُم مِّنكُمْ وَلَـكِنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ
يَفْرَقُونَ}
Transliteration: Wa Yaĥlifūna Billāhi 'Innahum Laminkum Wa Mā Hum
Minkum Wa Lakinnahum Qawmun Yafraqūna
Among their characteristics is that they enjoin what is evil and
forbid what is good, and they are stingy with their wealth. Allaah
says concerning them (interpretation of the meaning):
"The hypocrites, men and women, are one from another; they enjoin
(on the people) Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief and polytheism of all
kinds and all that Islam has forbidden), and forbid (people) from
Al-Ma'roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one
to do), and they close their hands [from giving (spending in
Allaah's Cause) alms]. They have forgotten Allaah, so He has
forgotten them. Verily, the hypocrites are the Faasiqoon
(rebellious, disobedient to Allaah)" [al-Tawbah 9:67].
{الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتُ
بَعْضُهُم مِّن بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمُنكَرِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ
الْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَقْبِضُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ نَسُواْ اللّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ}
Transliteration: Al-Munāfiqūna Wa Al-Munāfiqātu Ba`đuhum Min Ba`đin
Ya'murūna Bil-Munkari Wa Yanhawna `Ani Al-Ma`rūfi Wa Yaqbiđūna
'Aydiyahum Nasū Allāha Fanasiyahum 'Inna Al-Munāfiqīna Humu
Al-Fāsiqūna
Among their characteristics are greed and avarice:
"And of them are some who accuse you (O Muhammad) in the matter of
(the distribution of) the alms. If they are given part thereof,
they are pleased, but if they are not given thereof, behold! They
are enraged![al-Tawbah 9: 58 - interpretation of the
meaning].
{وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَلْمِزُكَ فِي
الصَّدَقَاتِ فَإِنْ أُعْطُواْ مِنْهَا رَضُواْ وَإِن لَّمْ
يُعْطَوْاْ مِنهَا إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ}
Transliteration: Wa Minhum Man Yalmizuka Fī Aş-Şadaqāti Fa'in 'U`ţū
Minhā Rađū Wa 'In Lam Yu`ţaw Minhā 'Idhā Hum Yaskhaţūna
Among their characteristics are those which were described by the
Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
«There are four (characteristics),
whoever has all of them is a complete hypocrite, and whoever has
some of them has some element of hypocrisy, unless he gives it up:
when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a treaty, he betrays it;
when he makes a promise, he breaks it; when he quarrels, he resorts
to insults» [Narrated by Muslim, 53].
Among their characteristics is a concern with appearances and fancy
speech whilst they are inwardly corrupt. Allaah says concerning
them (interpretation of the meaning):
"And when you look at them, their bodies please you; and when they
speak, you listen to their words. They are as blocks of wood
propped up. They think that every cry is against them. They are the
enemies, so beware of them. May Allaah curse them! How are they
denying (or deviating from) the Right Path?" [al-Munaafiqoon
63:4].
{وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ
أَجْسَامُهُمْ وَإِن يَقُولُوا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ
خُشُبٌ مُّسَنَّدَةٌ يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ هُمُ
الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ قَاتَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ أَنَّى
يُؤْفَكُونَ}
Transliteration: Wa 'Idhā Ra'aytahum Tu`jibuka 'Ajsāmuhum Wa 'In
Yaqūlū Tasma` Liqawlihim Ka'annahum Khushubun Musannadatun
Yaĥsabūna Kulla Şayĥatin `Alayhim Hum Al-`Adūwu Fāĥdharhum
Qātalahum Allāhu 'Annaá Yu'ufakūna
If the kuffaar are obvious enemies from without, then the
hypocrites are hidden enemies from within. They are more harmful
and more dangerous to the Muslims, because they mix with them and
know their situation. Allaah has decreed that the ultimate destiny
of the kuffaar and hypocrites will be in Hell:
"Surely, Allaah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all
together in Hell"[al-Nisaa' 4:140 - interpretation of the
meaning].
{إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ
وَالْكَافِرِينَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعًا}
Transliteration: 'Inna Allāha Jāmi`u Al-Munāfiqīna Wa Al-Kāfirīna
Fī Jahannama Jamī`āan
But because of the seriousness of the harm they cause, the
hypocrites will be in the lowest level of Hell, as Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the
Fire" [al-Nisaa' 4:145].
{إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ
الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ}
Transliteration: 'Inna Al-Munāfiqīna Fī Ad-Darki Al-'Asfali Mina
An-Nāri
Because the danger posed to the Muslim ummah by the kuffaar and
hypocrites is so great, Allaah commanded His Messenger to strive
against them:
"O Prophet (Muhammad)! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the
hypocrites, and be severe against them; their abode will be Hell,
and worst indeed is that destination" [al-Tahreem 66:9 -
interpretation of the meaning].
{يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ جَاهِدِ
الْكُفَّارَ وَالْمُنَافِقِينَ وَاغْلُظْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَأْوَاهُمْ
جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ}
Transliteration: Yā 'Ayyuhā An-Nabīyu Jāhidi Al-Kuffāra Wa
Al-Munāfiqīna Wa Aghluž `Alayhim Wa Ma'wāhum Jahannamu Wa Bi'sa
Al-Maşīru
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh
Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri