Characteristics of the Hypocrites
Reading time: 20 - 32 minutes
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Characteristics of the Hypocrites
[Al-Munafiqeen - The Enemies Within]
[Transcribed from a lecture by Imaam Shakeel Begg]
An exposition of the characteristics of the hypocrites within the Ummah of Muhammad (saw), discussed at Lewisham and Kent Islaamic Centre with the courtesy of Tayyibun Institute, on the 10th of July 2009 alongside other great speeches by Ustaadh Alomgir Abdul ‘Aleem and Ustaadh Abu Mujahid - may Allaah raise their ranks amongst the scholars of this Ummah.
The following is a short summary of some of the characteristics of hypocrites transcribed at the lecture by Imaam Shakeel Begg of LKIC. This summary has been compiled for the benefit of the reader and in no way replaces the superb quality of Imaam Shakeel’s deliverance of the topic.
The article has extra additions such as exposing the hypocrisy Taj Hargey and additional Tafsir quotes, other than that which were mentioned in the lecture.
May Allaah expose the hypocrites and protect the believers from their poisonous hypocrisy and harm.
Amongst the enemies of Islaam there exists the silent enemies, the enemies within - al-Munafiqoon (i.e. the hypocrites).
These creatures dress like Muslims, look like Muslims, talk like Muslims, walk like Muslims yet their hearts are engraved with the hatred for Islaam, Allaah, His messenger, the Muslims and all things associated with the Truth of the only religion accepted by Allaah azza wa jall.
Before we expose the different characteristics of the hypocrites we will state the different categories of kufr (i.e. disbelief) and the reader will soon come to know the reasoning behind it. The scholars say that there are five kinds of kufr:
- Disbelief of denial.
- Disbelief of rejection (due to pride and arrogance) when knowing that Islaam is the truth.
- Disbelief by turning away from the Truth.
- Disbelief due to doubt.
- Disbelief due to hypocrisy.
Now acknowledging that hypocrisy is one of the types of kufr, the scholars go on to mention that there are two branches of hypocrisy:
- Nifaaq al-Akbar - Portraying Islaam (i.e. belief) outwardly whilst concealing kufr (i.e. disbelief) inwardly.
- Nifaaq al-Asghar - Committing acts of hypocrisy by actions (and statements); this falls under major sins and not disbelief.
Ibn Katheer (r) states in his tafseer:
“Nifaaq means to show conformity - or agreement - and to conceal evil. Nifaaq has several types: Nifaaq in the creed that causes its people to reside in Hell for eternity, and Nifaaq in deed, which is one of the major sins, as we will explain soon, Allaah willing. Ibn Jurayj said of the hypocrite that, “His actual deeds are different from what he publicizes, what he conceals is different from what he utters, his entrance and presence are not the same as his exit and absence.””
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
Ibn Katheer [and also Ibn Ishaq (r)] stated when and why nifaaq (i.e. hypocrisy began:
“The revelations about the characteristics of the hypocrites were revealed in Al-Madinah, this is because there were no hypocrites in Makkah. Rather the opposite was the situation in Makkah, since some people were forced to pretend that they were disbelievers, while their hearts concealed their faith. Afterwards, the Messenger of Allaah migrated to Al-Madinah, where the Ansar from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj resided. They used to worship idols during the pre-Islaamic period of ignorance, just as the rest of the Arab idolators. Three Jewish tribes resided in Al-Madinah, Banu Qaynuqa`- allies of Al-Khazraj, Banu An-Nadir and Banu Qurayzah - allies of the Aws. Many members of the Aws and Khazraj tribes embraced Islaam. However, only a few Jews embraced Islaam, such as `Abdullah bin Salam. During the early stage in Al-Madinah, there weren’t any hypocrites because the Muslims were not strong enough to be feared yet. On the contrary, the Messenger of Allaah conducted peace treaties with the Jews and several other Arab tribes around Al-Madinah. Soon after, the battle of Badr occurred and Allaah gave victory to Islaam and its people. `Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool was a leader in Al-Madinah. He was Al-Khazraj’s chief, and during the period of Jahiliyyah he was the master of both tribes - Aws and Khazraj. They were about to appoint him their king when the Message reached Al-Madinah, and many in Al-Madinah embraced Islaam. Ibn Salool’s heart was filled with hatred against Islam and its people. When the battle of Badr took place, he said, “Allaah’s religion has become apparent.” So he pretended to be Muslim, along with many of those who were just like him, as well as many among the People of the Book. It was then that hypocrisy began in Al-Madinah and among the surrounding nomad tribes. As for the Emigrants, none of them were hypocrites, since they emigrated willingly (seeking the pleasure of Allaah). Rather, when a Muslim would emigrate from Makkah, he would be forced to abandon all of his wealth, offspring and land; he would do so seeking Allaah’s reward in the Hereafter.”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
So there was no nifaaq (hypocrisy) in Makkah. It started from the great Battle of Badr. When the force of Islaam faced the force of kufr, the force of Tawheed battled the force of shirk. It was then when Allaah established victory for the Muslims, nifaaq started in Madinah due to the hate and fear for the victory that Allaah gave to Tawheed. The chief of the hypocrites was Abdullaah ibn ‘Ubayy ibn Salool. Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad SAW) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islâmic Monotheism) to make it victorious over all (other) religions even though the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Messenger Muhammed SAW) hate (it).”
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah as-Saff (061:009)]
Looking around one can see that the Sunnah is spread amongst the shabaab (youth) and again in the footsteps of the hypocrites of Madinah, there are hypocrites today who hate the rise of Islaam and the establishment of the fundamentals of the only religion accepted by Allaah azza wa jall.
Sixteen of the many characteristics of the hypocrites are as follows:
1) The hypocrite will be in the lowest depths of the Hellfire.
This is more acknowledgement of their ultimate end, rather than the characteristic of the hypocrites. Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“Verily, the hyprocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them.”
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah an-Nisaa' (004:145)]
Ibn Katheer (r) said about this ayaah:
“(… the hyprocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire;); on the Day of Resurrection due to their tremendous Kufr…”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
The hypocrites are the worst of Allaah’s creation, thus they will be recieve the worst punishment in the deepest of Hell.
We seek refuge with Allaah from ever falling into nifaaq.
2) The hypocrite has a disease in his heart.
Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allâh has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies.”
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah al-Baqarah (002:010)]
Ibn Katheer (r) said about this ayaah:
“`Abdur-Rahmaan bin Zayd bin Aslam commented on, (In their hearts is a disease), “A disease in the religion, not a physical disease. They are the hypocrites and the disease is the doubt that they brought to Islaam. (And Allaah has increased their disease) meaning, increased them in shameful behavior”…”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
Once the heart is sick then all the other parts of the munafiqoon become sick and all their characteristics become sick. The messenger of Allaah (saw) said:
“… Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be whole, all the body is whole and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]
3) The hypocrite is the one who is in a state of confusion.
Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“(They are) swaying between this and that, belonging neither to these nor to those, and he whom Allâh sends astray, you will not find for him a way (to the truth - Islâm).”
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah an-Nisaa' (004:143)]
Ibn Katheer (r) said about this ayaah:
“((They are) swaying between this and that, belonging neither to these nor to those) means that the hypocrites are swaying between faith and disbelief. So they are neither with believers inwardly or outwardly nor with disbelievers inwardly or outwardly. Rather, they are with the believers outwardly and with the disbelievers inwardly…”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
So the hypocrites are in a state of confusion and they are with the believers in their outward actions and with the disbelievers inwardly in terms of loyalty.
4) The hypocrite hastens towards taaghoot and is pleased with it; whilst despising that which pleases the believer - judging by Qur’aan and Sunnah.
Taaghoot is anything false. Taaghoot is the shaytaan. Anything that is not a part of Islaam. Anything that is worshipped other than Allaah is taaghoot. Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“Have you seen those (hyprocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Tâghût (false judges, etc.) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaitân (Satan) wishes to lead them far astray.
And when it is said to them: “Come to what Allâh has sent down and to the Messenger (Muhammad SAW),” you (Muhammad SAW) see the hypocrites turn away from you (Muhammad SAW) with aversion.
How then, when a catastrophe befalls them because of what their hands have sent forth, they come to you swearing by Allâh, “We meant no more than goodwill and conciliation!”"
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah an-Nisaa' (004:060-062)]
Ibn Katheer (r) said about this ayaah:
“Allaah chastises those who claim to believe in what Allaah has sent down to His Messenger and to the earlier Prophets, yet they refer to other than the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger for judgment in various disputes…”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
Ibn Katheer (r) states the reason for the revelation of the Ayaah:
“It was reported that the reason behind revealing this Ayah was that a man from the Ansar and a Jew had a dispute, and the Jew said, “Let us refer to Muhammad to judge between us.” However, the Muslim man said, “Let us refer to Ka`b bin Al-Ashraf (a Jew) to judge between us.””
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
So when the Jew wanted to go to Muhammad (saw) for a judgment because he knew that Muhammad (saw) cannot be bribed etc. and he (saw) will give a fair ruling, the hypocrite wanted to get a judgement from the Jews because they would take bribes and be linient towards the one who fills their pockets. Eventually they went to a fortune teller to get their judgement.
5) The hypocrite makes mockery of the believers.
Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“The hypocrites fear lest a Sûrah (chapter of the Qur’ân) should be revealed about them, showing them what is in their hearts. Say: “(Go ahead and) mock! But certainly Allâh will bring to light all that you fear.”
If you ask them (about this), they declare: “We were only talking idly and joking.” Say: “Was it at Allâh, and His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger (SAW) that you were mocking?”
Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you because they were Mujrimûn (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, criminals, etc.).”
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah at-Taubah (009:064-066)]
Ibn Katheer (r) mentions a hadeeth with regard to these ayaat:
“`Abdullah bin `Umar said, “During the battle of Tabuk, a man was sitting in a gathering and said, “I have never seen like these reciters of ours! They have the hungriest stomachs, the most lying tongues and are the most cowardice in battle.” A man in the Masjid said, “You lie. You are a hypocrite, and I will surely inform the Messenger of Allaah.” This statement was conveyed to the Messenger of Allaah and also a part of the Qur’aan was revealed about it.”’ `Abdullah bin `Umar said, “I have seen that man afterwards holding onto the shoulders of the Messenger’s camel while stones were falling on him, declaring, `O Allaah’s Messenger! We were only engaged in idle talk and jesting,’ while the Messenger of Allaah was reciting, (”Was it at Allaah, and His Ayaat and His Messenger that you were mocking”) (9:65)…”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
Nowadays we see the same hypocrites making mockery of our brothers and sisters in Palestine saying, “They are only throwing stones!” These hypocrites make mockery of the mujahideen (those who fight in the path of Allaah) whilst they themselves are cowards.
Allaah azza wa jall mentions these characteristics to us so that we become aware of the hypocrites around us. Without a doubt names come to mind of those who mock the ones whose ranks they can never reach.
May Allaah make us amongst those, whose souls rest in the hearts of green birds (i.e. martyrs in His path).
6) The hypocrite commands evil and the hypocrite forbids the good.
This is opposed to the methodology of the believers who command good and forbid evil. Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“The hypocrites, men and women, are from one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief and polytheism of all kinds and all that Islâm has forbidden), and forbid (people) from Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and they close their hands [from giving (spending in Allâh's Cause) alms, etc.]. They have forgotten Allâh, so He has forgotten them. Verily, the hypocrites are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).”
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah at-Taubah (009:067)]
Ibn Katheer (r) said about this ayaah:
“Allaah admonishes the hypocrites who, unlike the believers - who enjoin righteousness and forbid evil -, (they enjoin evil, and forbid the good, and they close their hands), from spending in Allaah’s cause, (They have forgotten Allah), they have forgotten the remembrance of Allaah, (so He has forgotten them.), by treating them as if He has forgotten them…”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
The munafiqoon are thus the opposite of the believers. In the discussion of hijaab and niqaab there are “Muslims” who are against it. They are against Jihaad and the rulings of Islaam, they are against the du’aat (callers to Islaam) and the mujahideen; all due to the fact that the hypocrites command evil.
One of the hypocrites is Taj Hargey, a shaytaan from Oxford university, who sold his religion for the price of this world. When he speaks you hear nothing but his favorite phrase, “wahhaabi, salafi” and when he prays he prays behind women (deviants who all belong to the same clan); thus indicating this ignorant has no clue about Islaam or its principles. Yet the kufr TV portray these shayateen as the “voices of Islaam”. I [City ISoc admin] only mention his name just so that Muslims be aware of this shaytaan. The irony is that this shaytaan calls himself an Imaam, even though most of the time he is probably praying behind women, when does he actually get to lead or what nifaaq does he preach when he is the khateeb for Jumu’ah?
7) The hypocrite does not make Jihaad.
The hypocrites are always against Jihaad and they make excuses against it.
About the ayaah 67 from soorah at-Taubah, Imaam Qurtubi (r) mentions that, (they close their hands) means that they do not take part in Jihaad.
The Messenger of Allaah (saw) says: “Whoever dies and has not fought or intended to fight has died on a branch of hypocrisy.”
[Muslim]
8) The hypocrite wants the believers to fear the disbelievers.
Nowadays you hear from the words of the hypocrites, “Look at what the zionists have, look at their weapons, look at their technology, how can you fight them with your primitive weapons?”
The hypocrites always try to instill fear into the hearts of the Muslims. Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“Those (i.e. believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said, “Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.” But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: “Allâh (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”"
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah al-Imraan (003:173)]
Ibn Katheer (r) said about this ayaah:
“Abu Bakr Ibn Marduwyah recorded that Anas bin Malik said that the Prophet was told on the day of Uhud, “Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them.” Thereafter, Allaah sent down this Ayaah [3:173]“
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
9) The hypocrite stands up in prayer in a lazy fashion.
Salaat is the most important aspect after Tawheed. Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allâh, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salât (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allâh but little.”
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah al-Imraan (004:142)]
Ibn Katheer (r) said about this ayaah:
“This is the characteristic of the hypocrites with the most honored, best and righteous act of worship, the prayer. When they stand for prayer, they stand in laziness because they neither truly intend to perform it nor do they believe in it, have humility in it, or understand it. This is the description of their outward attitude! As for their hearts, Allaah said, (to be seen of men) meaning, they do not have sincerity when worshipping Allaah. Rather, they show off to people so that they gain closeness to them. They are often absent from the prayers that they can hide away from, such as the `Isha’ prayer and the Dawn prayer that are prayed in darkness. In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that the Messenger of Allaah said, (The heaviest prayers on the hypocrites are the `Isha’ and Dawn prayers. If they know their rewards, they will attend them even if they have to crawl. I was about to order someone to pronounce the Adhan for the prayer, then order someone to lead the prayer for the people, then order some men to collect fire-wood (fuel); then I would burn the houses around men who did not attend the (compulsory congregational) prayer.) In another narration, the Prophet said, (By Him, in Whose Hand my soul is, if anyone of them had known that he would get a bone covered with good meat or two (small) pieces of meat between two ribs, he would have turned up for the prayer, and had it not been that the houses have women and children in them, I would burn their homes around them.)”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
They have no sincerity, no zeal, no desire in performing an act of ‘eebaadah or a deed for the sake of Allaah; whereas the believer is the opposite and is eager to perform deeds for the sake of Allaah.
10) If the hypocrite performs an act of ‘eebaadah, then he does it to show-off.
They have no sincerity in their actions, like Ibn Katheer (r) had said about the ayaah 142 of soorah an-Nisaa’, “… they do not have sincerity when worshipping Allaah. Rather, they show off to people so that they gain closeness to them…”
The munafiqoon are around us. They perform acts of ‘eebaadah, of Islaam, but inside they conceal kufr. The munafiqoon can be anyone, the clean shaven white man or the black man or the fully bearded white man or the black man. Their outwardly actions go such that they even join in the front rows for duroos and for Salaat (if they attend).
11) The hypocrite is a liar.
12) The hypocrite does not fulfill his promises.
13) The hypocrite breaks his trust.
14) The hypocrite resorts to insults when he quarrels.
All these aforementioned four characteristics are mentioned in one hadeeth of the messenger of Allaah (saw).
The messenger of Allaah (saw) said:
“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.”
[Muslim]
Indeed there are even Muslims who have elements of hipocrisy in them (i.e. the above four elements), whilst lacking in the other characteristics of hypocrites.
May Allaah prevent us from harming others and from all kinds of nifaaq.
15) The hypocrite says the shahaadah.
Allaah says (interpretation of meaning):
“When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad SAW), they say: “We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allâh.” Allâh knows that you are indeed His Messenger and Allâh bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed.
They have made their oaths a screen (for their hypocrisy). Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allâh. Verily, evil is what they used to do.”
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah al-Munafiqoon (063:001)]
Ibn Katheer (r) mentions the story of the king or the chieftan of the hypocrites - Abdullaah ibn ‘Ubayy ibn Salool:
“… In his book, As-Sirah, Muhammad bin Ishaq said, “After the battle of Uhud ended, the Prophet returned to Al-Madinah. `Abdullaah bin Ubayy bin Salool - as Ibn Shihab narrated to me - would stand up every Friday, without objection from anyone because he was a chief of his people, when the Prophet would sit on the Minbar, just before he delivered the Jumu`ah Khutbah to the people. `Abdullaah bin Ubayy would say, `O people! This is the Messenger of Allaah with you. Allaah has honored us by sending him and gave you might through him. Support him, honor him and listen to and obey him.’ He would then sit down. So after the battle of Uhud, even after he did what he did, that is, returning to Al-Madinah with a third of the army, he stood up to say the same words. But the Muslims held on to his clothes and said to him, `Sit down, O enemy of Allaah! You are not worthy to stand after you did what you did.’ `Abdullaah went out of the Masjid crossing people’s lines and saying, `By Allaah, it is as if I said something awful when I wanted to support him.’ Some men from Al-Ansar met him at the gate of the Masjid and asked him what happened. He said, `I just stood up to support him and some men, his Companions, jumped at me, pulled me back and admonished me, as if what I said was an awful thing; I merely wanted to support him.’ They said to him, `Woe to you! Go back so that Allaah’s Messenger asks Allaah to forgive you.’ He said, `By Allaah, I do not wish that he ask Allaah to forgive me.’…”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
Thus the hypocrite can be anyone from amongst the ranks of the Muslims; they will bear witness (to Allaah’s Oneness) like the Muslim and they will dress like the Muslim, just like we see from this story of the king of the hypocrites. These people will also be very vocal, again portrayed by the case of the leader of the hypocrites.
16) The hypocrite has a pleasing outwardly appearence and eloquent speech.
Allaah says (interpretation of 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 Allâh curse them! How are they denying (or deviating from) the Right Path.”
[Al Qur'aan - Soorah al-Munafiqoon (063:004)]
Ibn Katheer (r) said about this ayaah:
“(And when you look at them, their bodies please you; and when they speak, you listen to their words.) meaning, hypocrites have a graceful outer appearance and are eloquent. When one hears them speak, he will listen to their eloquent words, even though hypocrites are truly weak and feeble, full of fear, fright and cowardice…”
[Tafsir ibn Katheer]
Their appearence is attractive to others, their speech is mesmorising (or at least grabs attention), they may even have good tajweed, they may even know Arabic, yet they are hypocrites shrouded under the garment of deception.
These are some of the many characteristics of the hypocrites, and one only needs to lift the pages of Qur’aan and ahadeeth to find out more about their reality.
May Allaah protect us from being afflicted with the poison of the hypocrites.
All praise is for Allaah.
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may Allah reward the transcriber for every letter s/he transcribed. aameen.
Is there a audio/transcript available for Ustadh Alomgir Abdul‘Aleem talk?
Aameen …
you can fish around in this link … the brothers usually upload their contents here … may Allaah reward them for their efforts :
http://www.lewishamislamiccentre.com/media
or tayyibun will soon release an official mp3 … somewhere …