SIGNS OF A HYPOCRITE (AL-MUNAFIQUN) IN ISLAM

SIGNS OF A HYPOCRITE (AL-MUNAFIQUN) IN ISLAM

Assembled by Mallam Abba Abana, Kubwa, Abuja, Nigeria

http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com

Emails:gonidamgamiri@yahoo.com; abba.abana@gmail.com

 

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Where are our Politicians, Chief Executives, Political Office Holders, Kings and Chiefs, Businessmen and Women Etc.? Do you what is in store for every single soul? We should be telling the truth, fulfilling of promises and keeping the trust in Islam. Our elites and powerful ones in majority lack these articles on worldly greed and temptation of Satan. The following apprenticeships give brief situation for us to amend our habits before the big Day of Judgment.

1.0 WHAT IS MEANING OF HYPOCRITE - MUNAFIQ OR NIFĀQ?

 

The hypocrisy itself is called nifāq (Arabic). The Quran has hundreds of ayat (verses) discussing munāfiqūn, referring to them as more dangerous to Muslims than the worst non-Muslim enemies of Islam. According to Sahih al-Bukhari, Narrated Abu Hurairah:

For the sura, see Al-Munafiqun. (For example, sura 'Al-Munafiqun', Holy Quran Chapter 4:61, Holy Quran Chapter 9:67, Holy Quran Chapter 8:49, Holy Quran Chapter 4:140, Holy Quran Chapter 9:64, Holy Quran Chapter 4:145).

According to Sahih al-Bukhari, Narrated Abu Hurairah: The prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

"The signs of a hypocrite are three:

1. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
2. Whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise).
3. If you trust him, he proves to be dishonest. (If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it.)" —Sahih al-Bukhari (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:2:33)

Narrated 'Abd Allah ibn Omar Ibn Al-Khattab: The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.
2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.
4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner." —Sahih al-Bukhari (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:2:34)

On the authority of Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Four traits whoever possesses them is a hypocrite and whoever possesses some of them has an element of hypocrisy until he leaves it: the one who when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks his promise, when he disputes he transgresses and when he makes an agreement he violates it. Muslim and Bukhari

2.0 SIGNS OF A HYPOCRITE (AL-MUNAFIQUN)

O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.   [Holy Quran Chapter Surah As-Saff: 2-3].

In explanation of these verses Sheikh Moududi states: One meaning of these verses is that there should be complete agreement between a true Muslim’s word and deed: he should carry into effect whatever he says, and when he has no intention of doing it, or has no power for it, he should not say it. To say one thing and do another is one of the most hideous characteristics of man, in the sight of Allah. The Holy Prophet (upon whom be Allah’s peace) has explained that a person’s being characterized by this quality is a sign that he is not a believer but a hypocrite. According to a .Hadith he said;

"The hypocrite has three signs even if he offered the Prayer and observed the Fast, and professed to be a Muslim: That then he spoke he lied; when he made a promise, he broke it; and when he was entrusted with something, he proved dishonest. " (Bukhari, Muslim) .

In another Hadith he said: "Four characteristics are such that the one who has all the four, is a hypocrite through and through, and the one who has one of these, has one characteristic of hypocrisy in him until he gives it up: that when he is entrusted with something, he proves dishonest; when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he quarrels he crosses all limits of morality and decency." (Bukhari, Muslim).

The jurists of Islam have almost unanimously held the view that if a person makes a pledge to AIlah (e.g.. vows to do something), or enters an agreement with others, or promised somebody to do something, it is obligatory for him to fulfill it, unless the thing he has promised is by itself sinful. If it is sinful, he should not observe or carry out the agreement or promise, but should expiate its violation as is also mentioned in Surah AI-Ma’idah. (AI-Jassas and Ibn al’Arabi, Ahkam al-Qur-an an). [Source: Tafheem Al-Quran by Sheikh Abul A’la Moududi].

 

 

3.0 PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAW) ON FULFILLMENT OF PROMISES:

Safwan bin Umayya was a deadly enemy of Islam. When Makkah was conquered, he ran away to Jeddah with the intention of going to Yemen. Umir ibn Wahab came to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and told him about Safwan. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gave him his turban and said, “This is a sign of the guarantee of his safety.” Umir went to Safwan with the turban and told him that he had no cause to run away for his safety had been guaranteed.

When he came to see the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he said, “Have you given me amen (safety)?” The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Yes, it is true.”

Abu Rafey, a slave, came to Madinah as an ambassador of the Quraysh. When he saw the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the truth of Islam dawned on him and he said, “O Messenger of God (PBUH)! I shall never go back to the unbelievers.” The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “I can neither breach the contract, nor keep the ambassadors with me. If you feel the same way when you go there, you can come back.” He went back and embraced Islam.

In the treaty of Hudaibiyah, one of the conditions was that if any Muslim went to Madinah from Makkah, he would be returned on demand. When the Treaty was being written, Abu Jandal escaped from the prison of the Makkans in chains. All the Muslims were shocked to see him in this condition, but the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said to him, “O Abu Jandal! Be patient, we cannot break the promise. God will very soon find a way for you.” He was returned to the people of Makkah. Two companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Hazifa bin al-Yaman and Abu Husail, while coming from Makkah, were caught by the unbelievers. The Makkans insisted that they should not go to Muhammad but the two companions refused. At last they were released on the condition that they would not participate in the battle (of Badr) on behalf of the Muslims. They came to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and told him the whole story. It was a severe test of their truthfulness. The Muslims were very few and needed more men to fight against the unbelievers. The addition of two men would have made a lot of difference to them but the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Both of you must go back; we will keep the promise under all circumstances. We need only the help of God.”

Muhammad (SAW) always kept his promises and contracts at all costs even with his enemies, and never broke his word. He preached the Quran and practiced what he taught to other people in obedience to the Commandment of God.

Abdullah ibn Abdul Hamsa (RA) reported that he bought something from Allah’s Messenger before he received his prophetic commission, and as there was something still due to Muhammad (SAW), he promised that he would bring it to his place. But Hamsa forgot about it and remembered three days later. He went to that place and found Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) there waiting for him. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “You have caused me great trouble and inconvenience. I have been here three days waiting for you.”

Abdullah ibn Amir (RA) reported that his mother called him one day when Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) was sitting in their house, saying, “Come here and I shall give you something.” Allah’s Messenger asked her what she intended to give him; she replied that she intended to give him some dates. He said, “If you were not to give him anything, a lie would have been recorded against you.”

Abu Juhaifa (RA) said, I saw Allah’s Messenger as a fair-skinned man who had become gray-haired. Al-Hasan ibn Ali resembled him. He ordered that thirteen young she-camels should be given to us and we went to receive them, but news of his death reached us before they had been given to us. Then when Abu Bakr (RA) became Caliph, he said, “If anyone has received a promise from God’s Messenger, let him come.” So I got up, went to him and told him of the promise and he ordered that the camels should be given to me.

4.0 FULFILLMENT OF PROMISES

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"And fulfill (every) covenant. Verily! The covenant will be questioned about. (Holy Quran Chapter 17:34)

"And fulfill the Covenant of Allah (Bai`ah: pledge for Islam) when you have covenanted.'' (Holy Quran Chapter 16:91)

"O you who believe! Fulfill (your) obligations.'' (Holy Quran Chapter 5:1)

"O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.'' (Holy Quran Chapter 61:2,3)

 

Hadith No. 689. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Three are the signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration adds the words: "Even if he observes Saum (fasts), performs Salat (prayer) and claims to be a Muslim.''

Commentary:

Hudhaifah and Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with them) reported that they heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "Allah will assemble mankind, and the believers will stand till Jannah will be brought near them.

They will then go to Adam (PBUH) and say, `O our father, ask (Allah (SWT), that Jannah may be opened for us, but he will reply: `There was nothing that put you out of Jannah except your father's sin. I am not the one to do that, go to my son Ibrahim (Abraham), the beloved man of Allah.' Then Ibrahim (PBUH) when approached, will say: `I am not the one to do that, for I was only a friend; and that is not a lofty status but ask Musa (Moses) to whom Allah spoke.' They will then go to Musa (PBUH) but he will say: `I am not the one to do that; go to `Isa (Jesus), Allah's Word and spirit.' `Isa (PBUH) will say: `I am not the one to do that.' So they will come to me; and I will stand and be given permission. Amanah and ties of relationship will be sent forth and will stand on the sides of the Sirat (that is, the Bridge set over Hell-fire) right and left, and the first of you will pass like lightning.'' I said (that is Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him)" :I ransom you with my father and mother, what is like the movement of lightning?'' The Messenger of Allah replied, "Have you not seen how the lightning goes and returns in the twinkling of an eye? Next (group will pass) like the passing of the breeze, next like the passing of a bird, and the next with the speed of a running man, according to the quality of their deeds. (During all this time) your Prophet (PBUH) will remain standing on the Bridge saying: `O my Rubb, keep (them) safe, keep (them) safe,' till men's deeds are so weak that a man comes who will be able only to crawl. On both sides of the Bridge pronged flesh hooks, placed under

command will be hung and will seize those about whom they receive command, some people being lacerated and escaping and others being thrown violently into Hell.'' Abu Hurairah added: By Him in Whose Hand Abu Hurairah's soul is, the pit of Jahannam (Hell) is seventy years in depth. [Muslim].

Commentary:

This Hadith mentions the horrors of the Day of Resurrection which are evident from the fact that even Prophets will be fearful of Allah and making supplication to Him. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) alone will be requesting Allah for bestowing His Mercy on humans. This Hadith also describes the grace of the Prophet (PBUH) who will then intercede for all.

 

Hadith No. 690. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Four are the qualities which, when found in a person, make him a sheer hypocrite, and one who possesses one of them, possesses one characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it. These are: When he is entrusted with something, he betrays trust; when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he acts treacherously; and when he argues, he behaves in a very imprudent, insulting manner.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:

Theologically speaking, a disagreement between heart and tongue - or word and deed - about the declaration of faith in Islam is defined as hypocrisy. In the lifetime of the Prophet (PBUH) there existed a group of hypocrites whose traits of characters have been outlined in Ahadith. Humanly it is not possible to perceive malice hidden in one's heart. Even Messenger of Allah (PBUH) hardly knew what lay in the hearts of people because, despite having the exalted status of Prophethood, he was fundamentally a human. Allah, however, had revealed hearts to him. But today, we have no error-free source to pick hypocrites from the ranks of believers. Quite

naturally, we fall back on the Hadith which provides us definite symptoms of the character and manners of hypocrites so as to distinguish them from sincere Muslims.

`Ulama' say that there are two aspects of hypocrisy, relating to faith and practice. In the first case, a hypocrite conceals his disbelief in his heart but verbally professes Islam. Anyone who belongs to this category of hypocrites will be, as stated in the Qur'an: "In the lowest depths of the Fire.'' (Holy Quran Chapter 4:145). In the second case, a man does have faith in his heart but in practice he portrays the characteristics of a hypocrite, unfortunately a majority of today's Muslims practically behave like hypocrites and possess their propensities. It is this hypocritical attitude and moral deficiencies of Muslims that have degraded them and made Islam unappealing. May Allah put Muslims on the right path!

 

691. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said to me, "When the revenues of Bahrain will arrive, I shall give you such and such and such.'' He passed away before the revenues were received.

When they arrive during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him), he ordered to be announced:

"Anyone whom Messenger of Allah (PBUH) promised or owed anything, should come to him.'' I went to him and said: "Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had said to me such and such.'' He took a double handful out of the money and gave it to me. I counted it and found that it was five hundred dirham. Then Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said to me: "Take twice as much more of that amount.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:

Messenger of Allah (PBUH), according to Al-Bukhari, spread his both hands thrice in a gesture and indicated to Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him): "I will give you double handfuls of money thrice''. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him), however, fulfilled the Prophet's promise during his caliphate.

This Hadith is suggestive of fulfillment of the deceased pledge by the ascendant, that is, his death will not invalidate it. Rather, the responsibility of fulfilling his pledge devolves upon his inheritors. Similarly, a new ruler is under obligation to carry out the commitment made by his predecessor on the government level.

5.0 WHO ARE THE HYPOCRITES, AL-MUNAFIQUN OR NIFĀQ?

In the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah Allah described the believers; then two last Ayat (Holy Quran Chapter 2:6-7) described the disbelievers. Afterwards, Allah begins to describe the hypocrites who show belief and hide disbelief. Since the matter of the hypocrites is vague and many people do not realize their true reality, Allah mentioned their description in detail. Each of the characteristics that Allah used to describe them with is a type of hypocrisy itself. Allah revealed Surah Bara'h and Surah Al-Munafiqun about the hypocrites. He also mentioned the hypocrites in Surah An-Nur and other Surahs, so that their description would be known and their ways and errors could be avoided.

Allah said, And of mankind, there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day'' while in fact they do not believe. They try to deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not!

6.0 DIFFERENT MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPOCRITES

1. Other wordings of this same hadith:
"The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks his promise and when he is entrusted he betrays the trust." (Bukhari and Muslim);
"…even if he prays and fasts and imagines that he is a Muslim" (Muslim);
"Among the signs of the hypocrite are three…" (Muslim)

2. Nifaaq (hypocrisy) in the Arabic language means the general category of deception, scheming and presenting an outward appearance of good while concealing its opposite.

3. In the Shari’a, nifaaq is of two types:

a) Greater (An-Nifaaq Al-Akbar): To present an outward appearance of belief in Allah, his Angels, his books, his messengers, the last day, etc. while concealing within that which negates all or some of that. This is the hypocrisy which the Prophet (SAW) confronted during his life and the ones who Allah said in the Qur’an that they are in "the lowest depth of hell-fire".

b) Lesser (An-Nifaaq Al-Asghar) or hypocrisy of action: To present an outward appearance of good and good deeds while concealing within that which negates that. This form of hypocrisy is built on the 4 things mentioned in the hadith at hand. 

4. The actions in this hadith are all part of lesser hypocrisy. One who has these character traits in interaction with other people is most likely to have them with regard to Allah and his Prophet (SAW). That is why the existence of them is a ‘sign’ of the existence of greater nifaaq.

5. Lying. Al-Hassan Al-Basri said: "Nifaaq is the difference between the inner and the appearance, between statement and action and between entering and leaving and it used to be said that the foundation of nifaaq upon which it is built is lying."

6. Breaking Promises. This falls into two categories:

a) Making a promise with no intention of keeping it. Al-Awzaa’iy said that one who says "I will do such-and-such insha Allah" without intending to do it has committed both lying and breaking a promise.

b) Making a promise intending to keep it and then later deciding to break it.

7. Transgression in Dispute. The main meaning of ‘transgression’ here is to intentionally speak other than truth making truth falsehood and vice versa. Lying ‘calls to’ this as in the hadith: "Beware of lying for lying guides to transgression and transgression leads to the fire." (Bukhari and Muslim). Also, the Prophet (SAW) said: "The most hated of men to Allah is the one given to fierce and violent disputation." (Bukhari and Muslim) Also, the Prophet (SAW) said about the one who takes what is not his through clever speech has only been given a piece of the fire.

8. Breaking Agreements. Allah said: {And fulfill your agreements for verily agreements will be asked about} Holy Quran Chapter Al-Israa’: 34. And: {And fulfill Allah’s agreement when you have made an agreement and don’t violate your oaths after they have been established and you have made Allah your guardian (therein)} An-Nahl: 91. Also: Aal-Imraan: 77. This applies to Muslim and non-Muslim alike. The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever kills an individual protected by treaty without right will not even smell the scent of paradise and its scent can be found at a distance of forty years march." The most serious oath to dishonor is the oath of allegiance to the khalifa of the Muslims.

9. Betraying of Trusts. When a Muslim is entrusted with something, he must do his best to protect it and to render it back to its owner when the time comes. Allah said: {Verily, Allah orders you to render trusts to their rightful owners…} An-Nisaa: 58 Also: Al-Anfaal: 27.

10. These issues have all been connected to hypocrisy in the Qur’an:

a) Holy Quran Chapter Al-Munaafiqoon: 1-2 (Lying, breaking oaths)

b) Holy Quran Chapter At-Tauba: 73-77 (False oaths, breaking promises (to Allah), lying)

c) Holy Quran Chapter Al-Ahzaab: 72-73 (Betraying trusts)

11. Umar mentioned the hadith of the Prophet (SAW): "The thing from which I fear for you the most is the knowledgeable hypocrite." Umar was then asked: "How can a hypocrite be knowledgeable?" To which Umar answered: "He speaks with wisdom but acts with injustice."

12. Ibn Umar was told: "We enter the presence of the ruler we speak to him other than what we say after we leave." Ibn Umar said: "We used to consider that hypocrisy." (Bukhari)

13. Ibn Abi Mulaika said: "I encountered thirty Companions of the Prophet (SAW) every one of them fears hypocrisy for himself and Al-Hassan Al-Basri used to say about it: No one fears it but a believer and no one feels safe from it but a hypocrite." (Bukhari)

14. Another aspect of hypocrisy is to do apparently good deeds with wicked intentions. Allah said: {They set up a masjid for the purpose of harm, kufr, creating division among the Muslims and as an outpost for those making war against Allah and His Prophet before this and they will swear "We only intended good." And Allah bears witness that they are liars.} Holy Quran Chapter At-Tauba: 107

15. Also: {Do not imagine that those who are joyful with what they have done and love to be praised for that which they did not do – do not imagine them to be safe from punishment – and theirs is a painful punishment.} Holy Quran Chapter Aal-Imraan: 188

16. Consciousness will vary and this is not hypcrisy. The Prophet (SAW) said to Handhala: "If you were to continue in the state which you achieved in my presence, the angels would greet you in your sittings and in the streets however, O Handhala, there are times and there are times."

Jazaak Allah Khair for reading