By Sheikh Ali ibn Abdur-Rahman Al-Hudhaifi – 19 Shawaal 1435

His Eminence Sheikh Ali ibn Abdur-Rahman Al-Hudhaifi, may Allah preserve him, delivered the Friday Khutbah entitled, “Types of Hypocrisy”, in which talked about hypocrisy and its various forms and warned against following the path of hypocrites. He also mentioned the two types of hypocrisy, namely, hypocrisy in belief and hypocrisy in acts. He highlighted certain traits that form parts of each type, citing evidence from the Qur’an and the Prophetic hadiths to corroborate his statements.

Praise be to Allah, the all-Mighty, the All-Wise, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He guides whomsoever He wills to the straight path by His mercy, and sends whomsoever He wills astray in His infinite wisdom and justice. Glorified be He, the All-Powerful and the All-Knowing! I praise my Lord and thank Him for His countless blessings. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, Who has no partners, the Most-High, the Most-Great, and I bear witness that our noble prophet and master, Muhammad, is His servant and messenger. O Allah! Bestow Your prayers, peace, and blessings upon Your servant and messenger Muhammad and upon his family, his Companions, and those who follow their straight way.

Now then!
Fear Allah as He should be feared, for Allah protects those who fear Him and takes charge of their affairs in this life and in the hereafter. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“…And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. …” (At-Talaq: 2-3)

O Muslims!
Think about fatal diseases, deadly plagues, harmful microbes, and devastating disasters, and see how people try to avoid whatever causes them, prepare effective medicines for them, and allocate huge amounts of money to save patients from the diseases that have afflicted them.

O People!
The most serious disease, however, is that of hypocrisy, with the various forms that it takes. It is a dangerous disease and a great evil. Once it seizes a heart, it destroys it. A person who is afflicted with this disease is dead rather than alive; he could be physically well but he is spiritually ill. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies.” (Al-Baqarah: 10).

Hypocrisy is a serious disease and a fatal plague that hits only Muslims. A disbeliever cannot be described as a hypocrite because he proclaims his disbelief. In fact, disbelief comprises all kinds of hypocrisy.

The righteous and the true believers fear hypocrisy and dread it. Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said in his Sahih, “Ibn Abi Mulaikah said, ‘I witnessed thirty of the Prophet’s Companions, all of whom feared hypocrisy for themselves.” Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said to Hudhaifah ibn Al-Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him, “I ask you by Allah! Did Allah’s Messenger mention me among the hypocrites?” Hudhaifah said, “No, but I will not testify to the purity of anyone else after you.” By this he meant that he would not want answer the question of anyone who asked about the hypocrites by name, not that everyone else apart from Umar was a hypocrite. Al-Hasan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “No believer can feel secure from being afflicted with hypocrisy.” Imam Ahmad also wondered, “Who can ever be safe from hypocrisy?”

Whoever is saved from hypocrisy will be saved from the evils of this world and the punishment of the hereafter, and whoever falls into the trap of hypocrisy will lose this worldly life and the hereafter. Allah, Exalted be He, says of the hypocrites:

“So let not their wealth or their children amaze you (O Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him); in reality Allah’s Plan is to punish them with these things in the life of this world, and that their souls shall depart (die) while they are disbelievers.” (At-Tawbah: 55)

Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
“Allah has promised the hypocrites – men and women – and the disbelievers, the Fire of Hell, therein shall they abide. It will suffice them. Allah has cursed them and for them is the lasting torment.” (At-Tawba: 68).

There are two types of hypocrisy. The first type is hypocrisy in belief, which is bound to take one out of the fold of Islam. Hypocrisy in belief refers to believing in whatever contradicts Islam as a whole and in parts or contradicts certain rulings of Islam which render those who do not believe in them and adhere to them disbelievers, even if they physically observe the five pillars of Islam. This is because Allah does not accept any deeds unless they are based on true faith. Hypocrisy in belief, therefore, refers to outwardly confessing Islam while concealing disbelief in it. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: “We believe in Allah and the Last Day” while in fact they believe not. They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not!” (Al-Baqarah: 8-9)

Those afflicted with Hypocrisy in belief will be consigned to Hellfire for ever — may Allah protect us from this fate. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
“On the Day when the hypocrites – men and women – will say to the believers: “Wait for us! Let us get something from your light!” It will be said: “Go back to your rear! Then seek a light!” So a wall will be put up between them, with a gate therein. Inside it will be mercy, and outside it will be torment.” (The hypocrites) will call the believers: “Were we not with you?” The believers will reply: “Yes! But you led yourselves into temptations, you looked forward for our destruction; you doubted (in Faith); and you were deceived by false desires, till the Command of Allah came to pass. And the chief deceiver (Satan) deceived you in respect of Allah.” So this Day no ransom shall be taken from you (hypocrites), nor of those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism). Your abode is the Fire, that is your maula (friend – proper place), for you, and worst indeed is that destination.” (Al-Hadid: 13-15)

Religious scholars and researchers have investigated textual evidence from the Qur’an and the hadiths and carefully examined the texts that determine the forms of hypocrisy in belief, which takes one out of the fold of Islam, concluding that hypocrisy in belief is reflected in detesting and loathing the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Therefore, anyone who detests Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is a disbeliever even if he performs the acts associated with the pillars of the religion. As a matter of fact, the hypocrites used to pray and fight along with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, but this was of no avail to them because deep at heart they hated Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“If good befalls you (O Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), it grieves them, but if a calamity overtakes you, they say: “We took our precaution beforehand” and they turn away rejoicing.” (At-Tawbah: 50)

Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
“… They are the enemies, so beware of them. May Allah curse them! How are they denying (or deviating from) the Right Path?” (Al-Munafiqun: 4)

Enemies are those who hate their opponents, rejoice over their misfortunes, and hate it when they are granted a favour.

One aspect of hypocrisy in belief involves abhorring and detesting what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, came with. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), for them is destruction, and (Allah) will make their deeds vain. That is because they hate that which Allah has sent down (this Qu’ran and Islamic laws, etc.); so He has made their deeds fruitless” (Muhammad: 8-9)

Allah, Exalted be He, also says:

“And they will cry: “O Malik (Keeper of Hell)! Let your Lord make an end of us.” He will say: “Verily you shall abide forever. Indeed We have brought the truth (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, with the Qur’an), to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth.” (Az-Zukhruf: 77-78)

Therefore, loathing what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, came with is a form of hypocrisy in belief. Even if a person loves the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, but hates what he came with, he will be falling within the realm of hypocrisy.

Another aspect of hypocrisy in belief, which takes one out of the fold of Islam, involves disbelieving Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies.” (Al-Baqarah: 10, according to the non-Kufi recitation of the Qur’an).

Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
“And whenever there comes down a Surah (chapter from the Qur’an), some of them (hypocrites) say: “Which of you has had his Faith increased by it?” As for those who believe, it has increased their Faith, and they rejoice. But as for those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubt, disbelief and hypocrisy), it will add suspicion and doubt to their suspicion, disbelief and doubt, and they die while they are disbelievers.” (At-Tawbah: 124-125)

Their denial has increased their impurity that results from their hypocricy and viciousness.

It is also a form of hypocrisy in belief, which contradicts Islam, to deny or detest part of what Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, came with. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“… Then do you believe in a part of the Scripture and reject the rest? Then what is the recompense of those who do so among you, except disgrace in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they shall be consigned to the most grievous torment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do.” (Al-Baqarah: 85)

Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
“Verily, those who have turned back (have apostatised) as disbelievers after the guidance has been manifested to them, Shaitan (Satan) has beautified for them (their false hopes), and (Allah) prolonged their term (age). This is because they said to those who hate what Allah has sent down: “We will obey you in part of the matter,” but Allah knows their secrets.” (Muhammad: 25-26)

Hypocrisy in belief also involves rejoicing at the decline of Islam, being delighted to see people rebelling against it, wishing to transgress its teachings, and hating to see the guidance and religion of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, reign supreme and the Islamic faith achieve victory. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“Verily, they had plotted sedition before, and had upset matters for you, until the truth (victory) came and the Decree of Allah (His Religion, Islam) became manifest though they hated it.” (At-Tawbah: 48)

Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
“The hypocrites, men and women, are from one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief and polytheism of all kinds and all that Islam has forbidden), and forbid (people) from Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and they close their hands [from giving (spending in Allah’s Cause) alms.]. They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them. Verily, the hypocrites are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah.” (At-Tawbah: 67)

A hypocrite in belief will be consigned to the lowest abyss of Hellfire, whether he has all or any of these aspects of hypocrisy, unless he turns to Allah, Exalted be He, in repentance. Allah, Might and Majesty be to Him, says:

“Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them.” (An-Nisa’: 145)

This is because the harm caused by hypocrites is more serious than that caused by the disbelievers who openly declare their disbelief.

As for hypocrisy in acts, it involves having one of the traits of hypocrisy, even though one believes in Allah and the Day of Judgement, loves Islam, and performs the acts of worship associated with the five pillars of Islam. A hypocrite in acts has committed an act of disobedience and a major sin, but he cannot in any way be considered as a disbeliever. Abdullah ibn Amr, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever has (the following) four traits is a hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has a trait of hypocrisy until he gives it up. When he talks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; when he is entrusted with something, he betrays the trust; and when he quarrels, he behaves wickedly” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). The meaning of the fourth trait is that whenever he argues with someone, he demands more than his right or does not duly give others their rights.

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There are three signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays the trust” (Reported by Muslim). If a Muslim commits these acts while he observes the five pillars of Islam, loves Islam, and believes in Allah, then his disobedience falls within the realm of hypocrisy in acts, not hypocrisy in belief. In fact, the traits of hypocrisy in acts are more numerous than the ones stated here, for the branches of hypocrisy correspond to the branches of faith. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Faith has over sixty branches, the uppermost of which is to say ‘La ilaha illallah’ (There is not god but Allah), while the least is to remove harmful objects from the road.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, only mentioned hypocrisy with regard to these matters because the remaining traits relating to hypocrisy in acts are included in these ones, for they constitute the roots of hypocrisy.

If a Muslim is not deterred, does not rid himself of the traits of hypocrisy in acts, and does not turn to Allah and repent of them, these qualities will take the better of him and lead him to hypocrisy in belief, which will consign him to Hellfire for ever. Allah, Exalted be He, says:

“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).” (At-Tawbah: 119)

May Allah bless you and me with the Great Qur’an and make us benefit from its verses and wise words and benefit from the guidance and right sayings of the Imam of Messengers. I have said what you have heard and I ask forgiveness of Allah for myself, for you, and for all Muslims for any sin we have committed. Ask Allah for forgiveness. He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.