Characteristics Of A Hypocrite

Description: A hypocrisy is a heinous and very destructive character, it is forbidden in Islam.

Signs of a Hypocrite.

A. Abu Hurairah narrated :

The Prophet SAW said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three:

1. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

2. Whenever he promises, he always breaks it .

3. If you trust him, he proves to be dishonest. [If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it.]"

[Al-Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 2, Number 32]


B. 'Abdullah bin 'Amr narrated :

The Prophet SAW said, "Whoever has the following four [characteristics] will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."

[Al-Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 2, Number 33]

The Case of Abdullah bin ‘Ubai.

1. Jabir bin 'Abdullah reported that Allah's Messenger SAW came to the grave of 'Abdullah bin Ubai as he was placed in it. [Muslim: Book 38, Number 6679]

2. Ibn 'Umar reported that when 'Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul died. His son 'Abdullah bin 'Abdullah (bin Ubai) came to Allah's Messenger SAW and begged him that he should give him his shirt which he would use as a coffin for his father, the Prophet SAW gave it to him.

He [Abdullah] then begged that the Prophet SAW should conduct funeral prayer for him. Allah's Messenger SAW was almost to get up to observe the prayer for ‘Abdullah that 'Umar Al-Khattab stood up and hold of the garment of Allah's Messenger SAW and said:

“Allah's Messenger, are you going to conduct prayer for this man, whereas Allah has forbidden you to offer prayer for him?”

Allah's Messenger SAW said: Allah has given me an option as He has Said: "You may beg pardon for them or you may not beg pardon for them, and even if you beg pardon for them, seventy times [Surah At-Tawbah, 9: 80], and I am going to make an addition to the seventy”.

‘Abdullah bin Ubai was a hypocrite and Allah's Messenger SAW offered a prayer for him and Allah the Exalted and Glorious, revealed the verse:

"Do not offer prayer for any one of them at all and do not stand upon their graves for (offering prayer over them) for they rejected Allah and His Messenger, and died in a state of perverse rebellion” [Surah At-Tawbah, 9: 84]. [Muslim: Book 38, Number 6680]

3. 'Abdullah also narrated: "He [the Prophet SAW] then abandoned offering (funeral) prayer for them." [Muslim: Book 38, Number 6681]

Allah’s Promise.

1. “To the Hypocrites give the glad tidings that there is for them [but] a grievous penalty.” [Surah An-Nisa, 4:88]

2. “Allah 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 Allah, and an enduring punishment.” [ Surah At-Tawbah, 9: 68]

3. “Already has He sent you word in the Book, that when ye hear the Signs of Allah held in defiance and ridicule, ye are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme: if ye did, ye would be like them. For Allah will collect the Hypocrites and those who defy Faith, all in Hell.” [Surah An-Nisa’, 4: 140]

4. (With the result) that Allah has to punish the Hypocrites, men and women, and the Unbelievers, men and women, and Allah turns in Mercy to the Believers, men and women; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Surah Al-Ahzab, 33: 73]

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