Hypocrite (Munafiq) in Islam? In the Light of the Quran and Hadith

Hypocrites join the ranks of Muslims only to harm Islam, but they do not truly believe from their hearts. The Qur’an and Hadith clearly describe the traits of hypocrites and their ultimate fate.

1. Definition of a Hypocrite According to the Qur’an

(1) Hypocrites Have a Contradiction Between Their Outward Appearance and Inner Reality

Allah Almighty says:

إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُونَ
(Surah Al-Munafiqun: 1)

Translation: When the hypocrites come to you, they say, “We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.

(2) Hypocrites Have Diseased Hearts

Allah Almighty says:

فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللَّهُ مَرَضًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 10)

Translation: In their hearts is a disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they used to lie.

(3) Hypocrites Deceive Muslims

Allah Almighty says:

يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 9)

Translation: They (the hypocrites) try to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive none except themselves, though they do not realize it.

(4) Hypocrites Will Be in the Lowest Depths of Hell

Allah Almighty says:

إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا
(Surah An-Nisa: 145)

Translation: Surely, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire, and you will not find any helper for them.

2. Signs of a Hypocrite in the Light of Hadith

(1) Three Signs of a Hypocrite

Narrated by Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet ﷺ said:

حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ أَبُو الرَّبِيعِ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا نَافِعُ بْنُ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَبِي عَامِرٍ أَبُو سُهَيْلٍ ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ : آيَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلَاثٌ ، إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ ، وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ ، وَإِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ .

Sulayman Abu Al-Rabi’ narrated to us, from Isma’il bin Ja’far, from Nafi’ bin Abi ‘Amir Abu Suhail, from his father, from Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه), who narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ) that he said:

“The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays the trust.”

(Sahih Bukhari: 33)

Translation: *The signs of a hypocrite are three:

• When he speaks, he lies.
• When he makes a promise, he breaks it.
• When he is entrusted with something, he betrays the trust.*

(2) They Appear as Muslims but Are Actually Enemies

Hypocrites outwardly resemble Muslims, but in reality, they are their greatest enemies.

3. Summary

• A hypocrite is someone who verbally claims to be a believer but harbors disbelief in his heart.
• He lies, breaks promises, and betrays trusts.
• The Qur’an warns that hypocrites will suffer the worst punishment in Hell.
• The Prophet ﷺ clearly outlined their characteristics so that Muslims can recognize and avoid them.

4. What Should We Do?

✔️ Always speak the truth.
✔️ Avoid breaking promises and betraying trusts.
✔️ Keep the heart pure and strengthen faith.
✔️ Live according to the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith to protect ourselves from hypocrisy.

May Allah protect us from hypocrisy and grant us true faith. Ameen! 🤲