WHO ARE THE HYPOCRITES IN ISLAM & THEIR SIGNS Part 2 of 5

WHO ARE THE HYPOCRITES IN ISLAM & THEIR SIGNS

Part 2 of 5

1.4 SIGN FOUR: BREAKING ONE'S PROMISE

Whoever makes a promise to his brother and then breaks his promise has inherited a branch from among, the branches of hypocrisy. It is reported about the Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam in his seerah with acceptable chains of narration, that he made a promise to a man that he would meet him. So the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam came to the meeting place at the appointed time, but the man broke his promise and he remained in that place for three days and nights.

Then the man remembered and came, so the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said to him: You have troubled me (i.e. caused me inconvenience).

Therefore, one who breaks his promise without having been kept back or restrained then that is a clear sign of hypocrisy. This occurs due to the lack of discipline in the promises made between the Muslims. Whoever promises to meet you at a certain hour, day or place then fails you in your promise then know that he possesses a branch of hypocrisy to wash your hands of him (his acquaintance).

One of the righteous used to say when making a promise to his brother: "If Allaah wills and there is no promise between me and you, if I am able then I will be present and if I am not able then pardon me." This, in order that a branch of hypocrisy does not penetrate into him and that it is not written for him that he possesses a branch of hypocrisy.

Refuge is only with Allaah! This is the hypocrisy in action which is abundant due to the lack of faith in some Muslims. They wake up breaking promises, lying, behaving insolently (with people) and acting treacherously. When a traveller goes to the lands of disbelief and sees their self-centered discipline due to materialistic goals and their discipline in making promises he says: "How strange! I found sincerity, truthfulness and trustworthiness there." So he returns extolling the enemies of Allaah and the followers of every atheist, apostate and coward whilst cursing the Muslims. So we say to him: 'You found over there a people trading with the dirham and the deenar (money), worshipping the profit and you have found people here who have no Faith and who have opposed the laws of Allaah, thereby making the image, this Religion repugnant and repulsive in the eyes of the Muslims."

1.4.2 THEY’RE ALL TALK AND NO ACTION

Hypocrites love to over-talk and under-deliver. They’re full of eloquent words, but in reality, they have no intention of following through with their promises. Or maybe they did, but then they realized it would inconvenience them, so they decided to blow you off. Hypocrites put themselves first, and, as a result, are short on empathy. By contrast, a sincere person knows the value of a promise. They put themselves in the other person’s shoes and follow through, even if it means putting themselves second.

Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (RA) says that Rasulullah (sallalahu alaihi wa salaam) 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)

1.4.3 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)

1.4.4 WEAK PERSONALITY

IT is narrated by Abdullah bin Amr that the Prophet of Islam said: “There are four traits and if anyone has them he is surely a hypocrite, and if any person has any one of them, he still reveals the flaw of hypocrisy unless he renounces it. They are: he betrays the trust of others; he speaks falsehood; he does not keep his promises; and when differences arise, he will not hesitate to fight.”

This Hadith outlines the character of a hypocrite. A hypocrite is one who becomes insensitive in matters of truth and falsehood, because he does not fear God. Such a person becomes unprincipled. Having no sense of accountability, he is obedient not to the principles of truth but to his self-interest. He does not attach any importance to moral values. As a result, if such a person is entrusted with anything, he breaks his trust. When he talks, he does not bind himself to speak the truth. He speaks easily such things that are at variance with facts. Such a man is not true to his word, and he breaks his promises easily after they are made.

Similarly, when such a man finds himself in the midst of controversy or develops some difference with others, he fails to maintain himself on justice. Instead of talking in a scientific and logical manner, he starts making accusations. Instead of entering into serious discussion, he behaves in a quarrelsome manner. Instead of keeping the dialogue within the limits of logic, he abuses his interlocutor. Instead of making scientific analysis, he passes negative remarks. Instead of remaining in touch with reality, he talks on the basis of guesswork. Instead of limiting himself to the issue at hand, he starts talking on the basis of assumptions. Instead of discussing the matter on the basis of principles, he brings personal considerations into the matter. Finally, he accuses his adversary of saying something that he has never spoken of. And to support his stand, he uses rumours that have no truth.

These traits of a hypocrite that are mentioned in the Hadith are an extremely serious matter. One who cultivates any of these characteristics will find a weak personality developing within him. A further loss of such a person is that he will be deprived of the divine company of angels. He will not be a recipient of divine inspirations. He will not receive any spiritual nourishment. He will be deprived of a relationship with God. Such a person’s intellectual development will come to a standstill. He will be denied the blessing of purification. The light of faith will fail to reach him.

One who cultivates any of the characteristics of a hypocrite will find a weak personality developing within him.

A weak personality will always be under the influence of Satan. On the other hand a strong personality will continue to have divine experiences as mentioned in the Quran:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُواْ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَقَـٰمُواْ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُواْ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَبۡشِرُواْ بِٱلۡجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمۡ تُوعَدُونَ

'As for those who affirm, Our Lord is God, and then remain steadfast, the angels will descend on them, saying, ‘Have no fear and do not grieve. Rejoice in the [good news of the] Garden that you have been promised. (Holy Quran Chapter 41: 30)

1.4.5 Patience in Social & Family Life

Patience means to think by rising above complaints. Patience is not cowardice or Defeat. When you have an unpleasant experience with someone and become negative, this means you did not keep patience. If you ignore what hurts you, you raise your level. So, patience means to raise your intellectual level. Patience is not passivity. It is another name for high thinking.