How to know a hypocrite

16-2-2012 | IslamWeb

Question:

Does a hypocrite know that he is a hypocrite? How can I know that I am not a hypocrite? What are the actions that can make me a hypocrite while I am unaware of them?
May Allaah reward you.
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

 

Recognizing whether one is a hypocrite or not varies according to people’s knowledge of the characteristics of hypocrisy or their ignorance of it.

Therefore, every Muslim should have knowledge of the hypocrisy in belief, hypocrisy in action, and the attributes of such people so that he could avoid them. In fact, everyone has to guard himself from hypocrisy. Al-Hasan Al-Basri may Allaah have mercy upon him said about hypocrisy, “No one fears it but a believer, and no one feels safe from it but a hypocrite.”

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab may Allaah be pleased with him used to ask Huthayfah ibn Al-Yamaan may Allaah be pleased with him saying, “Did the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mention me to you among (the names of) the hypocrites?” Huthayfah may Allaah be pleased with him replied in the negative.

It is narrated in a Hadeeth (narration) that Ibn Abi Mulaykah may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “I have witnessed thirty of the companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, all of them feared falling into hypocrisy.” [Al-Bukhari]

Allaah Knows best.

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