Hypocrisy in Islam

Hypocrisy in Islam

The word "Hypocrisy" is defined in Webster's dictionaries as: an act or a practice of feigning to be what one is not, or to feel what one does not feel; especially, the false assumption of goodness. Therefore, a hypocrite is a false pretender and dissembler to virtue or piety.

In the Islamic terminology, the word "Hypocrisy" is a substitute for 'Nifaq'. This word Nifaq has been mentioned in the Qur'an thirty-one (31) times in different forms such as: Nifaq; Munafiqoon; Munafiqat; Munafiqeen, and Nifaqan.

Dear Muslims:

There are some faults prevalent in society that a person may acquire, nurture and establish within himself which affect his personal behavior. The fault of hypocrisy is one of them.

Allah hates those people who acquire this fault, and He therefore warns them that their punishment is indeed hell. Allah says in Sura At-Tauba:

"God hath promised the hypocrites, men and women, and the rejecters of Faith, the fire of Hell; therein shall they dwell; sufficient is it for them: for them is the curse of God, and an enduring punishment." (9:68)

Allah has promised the hypocrites a heavy penalty by saying in Sura Nisa:

"To the hypocrites give the glad tidings that there is for them but a grievous penalty. Yea, to those who take the unbelievers as their leaders rather than the believers" (4:138-139)

Dear Muslims:

One may ask why a person should act as a hypocrite? Or why he should be a hypocrite? The answer could be any of the following:

1. A person who has no faith in Allah, His Messenger, and the Day of Judgment may act as a hypocrite.

2. A person who has a weak faith may be trapped in his daily life to play the role of a hypocrite.

3. A person who lacks confidence in himself/herself may become a hypocrite.

4. A person who lacks security, morally, psychologically, or financially, may be led to be a hypocrite.

5. A person who is conceited, selfish, and who likes himself above all others, may play the game of hypocrisy so as to achieve his personal gains and to satisfy his ego.

6. A person who is not a man unto himself, and whatever he does is seeking assurance of success and gain. Hence, he plays the dirty game of hypocrite.

A person who seeks to please everybody even if it demands his cheating, lying or stealing. Allah says in this regard in Sura Al-Munafiqun:

"When the hypocrites come to thee, they say, 'We bear witness that thou art indeed the Apostle of God.