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The conduct of the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with hypocrites
The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, dealt with every section of the community in a suitable manner in accordance with their circumstances.Hypocrites were a minority faction in Muslim society during the Prophet’s lifetime, a society that was based on sound theology, social justice and moral excellence. The hypocrites outwardly purported to respect Islamic principles and laws, but in secret, they were grave opponents of Islam. They would corroborate with the enemies of Islam during the most sensitive times and share military secrets with the enemy. They tried to instill fear into the hearts of Muslims by spreading rumors and lies. They would try to undermine the Islamic government by interacting with governments who were against Islam. Hypocrisy is a serious sickness and a great crime and is more dangerous than disbelief. The punishment for it is more severe, because it is disbelief mixed with Islam and its harmful effects are greater. Hence,Allah will put the hypocrites in the lowest level of Hell, as He Says
(what means)
«Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth [grade] of theFire; no helper will you find for them.»
[Quran: 4:145]
The harmful effects of the hypocrites are not limited to the past; rather hypocrites continue to cause difficulties for the Muslim community. This will be completely understood by referring to the circumstances and causes of the revelations regarding hypocrites and by going back to Islamic history. That is why it is important that Muslims address, pondeR
Hypocrites are people who outwardly express their belief in the message of Islam, while inwardly they disbelieve in it. These people have
certain distinct qualities that distinguish them from the believers:
• Falsely claiming to have faith:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«And of the people are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the last Day,” but they are not believers.»
[Quran: 2:8]
• Deception:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not.»
[Quran: 2:9]
• Spreading corruption on earth:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«And when it is saidto them, “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are but reformers.” Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.»
[Quran: 2:11-12]
Allah The Almighty also Says (what means)
«And of the people is he whose speech pleases you in worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the fiercest of opponents. And when he goes away, he strives throughout the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. And Allah does not like corruption. And when is said to him, ‘Fear Allah,” pride in the sin takes hold of him. Sufficient for him is Hellfire, and how wretched is the resting place.»
[Quran: 2:204-206]
• Laziness in worship:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little.»
[Quran: 4:142]
• Mockery of the believers:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«And when they meet those who believe, they say, ‘We believe’; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, ‘Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers’.»
[Quran: 2:14]
Allah The Almighty also Says (what means)
«Those who criticize the contributors among the believers concerning [their] charities and [criticize] the ones who find nothing [to spend] except their effort, so they ridicule them, Allah will ridicule them, and they will have a painful punishment.»
[Quran: 9:79]
• Enmity to the believers and plotting against them:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«Hatred has already from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater.»
[Quran: 3:118]
Allah The Almighty also Says (what means)
«If good touches you, it distresses them; but if harm strikes you, they rejoice at it. And if you are patient and fear Allah, their plot will not harm you at all. Indeed, Allah is encompassing of what they do.»
[Quran: 3:120]
Allah The Almighty also Says (what means)
«Those who wait [and watch] you. Then if you gain a victory from Allah, they say, ‘Were we not with you?’ But if the disbelievers have a success, they say [to them], ‘Did we not gain the advantage over you, but we protected you from the believers?’»
[Quran: 4:141]
• Loyalty to the disbelievers:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment. Those who take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek with them honor [through power]? But indeed, honor belongs to Allah entirely.»
[Quran: 4:138-139]
Allah The Almighty also Says (what means)
«Have you not considered those who practice hypocrisy, saying to their brothers [i.e. associates] who have disbelieved among the People of the Scripture, ‘If you are expelled, we will surely leave with you, and we will not obey, in regard to you, anyone, ever; and if you are fought, we will surely aid you.’ But Allah testifies that they are liars.»
[Quran: 59:11]
Abandoning Islamic legislation and adhering to other sources:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
«But they [i.e. thehypocrites] say, “We have believed in Allah and in the messenger of Allah, and we obey”; then a party of them turns away after that. And those are not believers. And when they are called to [the words of] Allah and His Messenger to judge between them, at once a party of them turns aside [in refusal]. But if the right is theirs, they come to him in prompt obedience. Is there disease in their hearts? Or have they doubted? Or do they fear that Allah will be unjust to them, or His Messenger? Rather, it is they who are the wrongdoers [i.e. the unjust].»
[Quran: 24:47-50]
Allah The Almighty also Says (what means)
«Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer legislation to Taaghoot, [false objects of worship or those transgressors who usurp the divine right of government.] while they were commanded to reject it; and Satan wishes to lead them far astray. And when it is said to them, “Come to what Allah has revealed and to the messenger of Allah,” you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion. So how [will it be] when disaster strikes them because of what their hands have put forth and then they come to you swearing by Allah, “We intended nothing but goodconduct and accommodation.” Those are the ones of whom Allah knows what is in their hearts, so turn away from them [i.e. use not violence against them] but admonish them and speak to them a far-reaching [i.e. effective] word.»
[Quran: 4:60-63]
Refraining from repentance due to arrogance:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
«And when it is said to them, ‘Come, the Messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you,’ they turn their heads aside and you see them evading while they are arrogant.»
[Quran: 63:5]
Spreading immorality:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«Indeed, those who like that immorality [especially unlawful sexual relations] should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows [The hidden aspects of all things: what is beneficial and what is harmful] and you do not know.»
[Quran: 24:19]
• Fighting the believers economically:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«They are the ones who say, “Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they disband.” And to Allah belongs the depositories of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand.»
[Quran: 63:7]
• Enjoining evil and forbidding virtue:
Allah The Almighty Says (what means)
«The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They enjoin what is wrong and forbid what is right and close their hands [i.e. refuse to spend in the way of Allah]. They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them [accordingly]. Indeed, the hypocrites, it is they who are the defiantly disobedient.»
[Quran: 9:67]
Hypocrites are the most dangerous group who pose the greatest threat to the Muslim nation. This is because they are part of the community and intermingle with it, which enables them to know the points of weakness and areas of strength. Ibn Al-Qayyim (a scholar) said: “Hypocrisy is a fatal inner illness.”1
Some people may think that this section of society only existed in the early generations and then it disappeared. This is an illusion; rather itcontinues to exist in all times. Ibn Taymiyyah (a scholar) said: “Hypocrites existed and will continue to exist until the Day of Resurrection.”2
المراجع
- Maddarij As-Saalikeen (354/1).
- Majmoo’ Al-Fataawa (212/7)
