The Muslim nation was not afflicted with anything in the past or the present time more dangerous than hypocrites and hypocrisy. Hypocrites are the greatest evil and they are a continuous trial for the Muslims be- cause they are people from amongst us, who claim to be Muslims, and are part of this nation (i.e. physically).

Conclusion:

Hypocrisy is a dangerous moral deviation in the life of individuals, communities and nations and hypocrites have always been the cause of great evil. This danger is clearly noticeable when the destructive conse- quences of hypocrisy afflict the entire Muslim nation and reform move- ments in particular, as the hypocrite strives to destroy them from within, while he is safe and unwatched. No one expects his slyness and plotting since he is considered a Muslim whose name, appearance and speech is like that of any other Muslim. Scrutinizing the essence of hypocrisy, you will find it a satanic combination that comprises severe cowardice, greed for the immediate pleasures of this worldly life, denial of truth and ly-ing. 

Naturally, one can imagine the evil effects of such a combination. The linguistic meaning of hypocrisy implies deception, cunning, showing outward goodness and concealing evil. The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, described hypocrisy in great detail to show how ugly and unbecoming all types of hypocrisy were. 

The description concentrates on the hypocrite’s tongue, because it is with his words that he tries to cheat people and get the better of them.

He always says to those he speaks to what would please them, so that he is included in their good books. He does not care if what he says is untrue, because all that he cares for is his own interest. Since a hypocrite relies on lying, thinking that he could lie his way out of any difficulty, he is pun- ished severely in the Hereafter.

The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, dealt with this sec- tion of the community during his time in a very balanced manner teach- ing his Companions that, in principle, people should be judged by their outward behavior, and that no one has the right to judge people’s inward faith.

 Thiswas in order to protect the community from casting accusations on one another. On the other hand, the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, hoped that this treatment would soften their hearts, and to give a chance to those who regretted and wanted to repent.

However, this did not stop him, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, from high- lighting their characteristics and traits so that his Companions would be able to recognize them and thus be on their guard against them, and by which their identity would be exposed.