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.
