The essence of hypocrisy

Adil Salahi | Arab News

 

 

Perhaps nothing is more hateful to Islam and Muslims than

 

hypocrisy. This is due to the fact that a hypocrite is not merely a

 

habitual liar; he is a person who thinks that he can easily deceive

 

people and get away with it. He imagines that nobody can see

 

through him. When hypocrisy is focused on faith, with the hypocrite

 

claiming to be a believer when he truly does not believe, then such

 

a hypocrite imagines that he can deceive God. Thus he makes fun of

 

God’s knowledge and power. God describes the stupidity of

 

hypocrites in the following terms: “They seek to deceive God and

 

the believers, but they are only deceiving themselves, though they

 

may not realize it. There is sickness in their hearts, and God has

 

aggravated their sickness.” (2: 9-10)

 

Defining hypocrisy the Prophet (peace be upon him) says: “There are

 

four traits which, when present in any person, make that person a

 

pure hypocrite. Whoever has one of these has indeed a trait of

 

hypocrisy unless he abandons it: When he is assigned a trust he is

 

untrue to his trust; when he speaks to others he lies; when he

 

gives a serious promise he is deceitful; and when he is in dispute

 

he is too hard.” (Related by Al-Bukhari).

 

The Prophet defines the character of a hypocrite by four features

 

every one of which is a manifestation of untruth. By contrast, a

 

believer is a person whose actions give credence to his beliefs.

 

Whatever he claims is certainly true. These four traits represent

 

falsehood in intention, words and action. Hence, when a person

 

portrays all four his case is that of unmitigated hypocrisy. Anyone

 

of these four traits represents a quarter of the full extent of

 

hypocrisy.

 

Putting the case in such clear and graphic manner, the Prophet is

 

urging every Muslim to make sure that none of these traits applies

 

to them. If it does, then they must try hard to purge themselves of

 

it. The first is being untrue to one’s trust. A hypocrite thinks

 

nothing of violating his trust if there is anything to be gained by

 

such violation. Secondly, a hypocrite is a habitual liar. He thinks

 

that he can get away with anything by assuring his listener that

 

whatever he says is true when he is fully aware that it is not. The

 

third trait is being untrue to one’s promises. When he gives a

 

promise, a hypocrite knows that he will be violating it at the

 

first opportunity. He has no intention of remaining true to his

 

promises unless there is nothing to be gained by breaking them. The

 

last trait is being too hard when involved in a dispute. He goes

 

far beyond good manners. He resorts to exaggeration as well as

 

slandering and vilifying his opponent, paying no heed to Islamic

 

values.

 

It should be said that these four traits are the main features of

 

the character of a hypocrite. There are other features such as

 

exaggerated flattery, unwarranted praise of one’s bosses, putting

 

up a show of devotion in worship, etc. All these qualities

 

demonstrate falsehood in intention, speech and action.

 

It should be said, however, that falsehood is intended to deceive

 

others. When there is no intent of deception, resorting to

 

exaggeration in describing something, or in portraying events, does

 

not come under hypocrisy, particularly when no harm results from

 

such exaggeration.

 

 

From: Awaaze-dost@yahoogroups.com