Sharing Session on 18th January 2014

NYPMSN Sharing Session

Date: 18th January 2014
Led By: Brother Azfar & Brother Hilal
Topic: Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy

Defining Hypocrisy (Munaafiq)

1) Hypocrisy is a heart disease.

Hypocrisy is described in Al-Qur’aan as a disease that exists in the heart. Our faith (Imaan) rests in our hearts, and if hypocrisy enters our hearts as a disease, our faith becomes damaged, our hearts become sick, our deeds are not done with pure intention and our identity as Muslims becomes diluted.

Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 10:In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie.

2) Fake, untruthful faith (Imaan).

Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 8:And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day," but they are not believers.

3) Inconsistency between speech and action. We, Muslims, are at a very big risk of falling into Hypocrisy.

Surah As-Saf, Ayat 2:O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do?

4) Serious crime, worse than being a disbeliever, dangerous consequences.

Surah An-Nisa’, Ayat 138:Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment -

Surah An-Nisa’, Ayat 145:Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire - and never will you find for them a helper –

5) Nafaqa (نفق), root word of Munaafiq (منآفق).

The example of Nafaqa, is like the lizard in the desert. The lizard digs a tunnel under the sand, and the tunnel has two ends, two escape routes.

Just like the hypocrite, who has two escape routes.
For example, when Muslims are successful, the hypocrites join with the Muslims to celebrate.
But, when Muslims are suffering, the hypocrites run away from the Muslims to join the disbelievers.

Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 14:And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers."

6) The two types of Hypocrisy.

    a) Conscious Hypocrisy:

A person who is of a different religion, and acts as a Muslim to corrupt Muslims and defame Islam.

    b) Sub-conscious Hypocrisy:

A Muslim who doesn’t completely submit to Islam, and disagrees with one or more of Islam’s principles.

For example, people who think that having unnecessary conversations and relations with the opposite gender (non-Mahrams), is permissible. When Allah SWT clearly states in the Qur’an, not to even approach Zina.

Surah Al-Isra’, Ayat 32:And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

History

Sahih Muslim » The Book Pertaining to Repentance and Exhortation to Repentance (Kitab Al-Tauba)

Hanzala Usayyidi, who was amongst the scribes of Allah's Messenger (SAW) reported:

I met Abu Bakr. He said: Who are you? He (Hanzala) said: Hanzala has turned to be a hypocrite. He (Abu Bakr) said: Hallowed be Allah, what are you saying? Thereupon he said: I say that when we are in the company of Allah's Messenger (SAW) we ponder over Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our very eyes and when we are away from Allah's Messenger (SAW) we attend to our wives, our children, our business; most of these things (pertaining to After-life) slip out of our minds. Abu Bakr said: By Allah, I also experience the same. So I and Abu Bakr went to Allah's Messenger (SAW) and said to him: Allah's Messenger, Hanzala has turned to be a hypocrite. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: What has happened to you? I said: Allah's Messenger, when we are in your company, we are reminded of Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but whenever we go away from you and attend to our wives, children and business, much of these things go out of our minds. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if your state of mind remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allah), the Angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your paths but, Hanzala, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time (should be devoted to prayer and meditation). He (the Holy Prophet) said this thrice.

Source: http://sunnah.com/muslim/50/14


Sahih al-Bukhari » Belief

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:

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."

Source: http://sunnah.com/bukhari/2/27


The Example of Abdullah ibn Ubayy (Head of the Hypocrites):

The leader of the Hypocrites, Abdullah ibn Ubayy – who was not known for his hypocrisy then – would stand up when the Messenger of Allah (SAW) came, and he would tell the believers to listen attentively because the Messenger of Allah is about to give a speech.

The believers would listen to the speech anyway, even if Abdullah ibn Ubayy didn’t say his statement. But he used this technique to try to prove his claim of belief to the masses (although inside he was a guilty conscious hypocrite.)

But after the Battle of Uhud – Abdullah ibn Ubayy left the battle field and did not support the believers. This exposed his hypocrisy.

So, the next time Allah’s Messenger (SAW) gave a speech in the Masjid. Abdullah ibn Ubayy got up to tell the believers to listen attentively to the Messenger of Allah. But when he was about to say this – the believers pulled him down because now people realised he was a hypocrite who only said things, but did not act upon them.

But due to the Sahaba pulling him down. He became furious and left the Jumu’ah (Friday) Prayer.

Source: Nouman Ali Khan Tafseer Series, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxpQ-l61ma4

Characteristics of Hypocrisy

• Lying
• Breaking promises
• Betraying trusts
• Praying lazily
• Praying to show off
• Giving charity unwillingly
• Discouraging acts of charity
• Forgetting Allah SWT
• Disrespecting and disobeying Rasulullah SAW
• Criticizing when not being treated highly
• Disagreeing with one or more of the beliefs and principles of Islam
• Prioritizing worldly affairs over Islam
• Mocking the practices of Islam
• Enjoining what is wrong and forbidding what is right
• Preferring to be with disbelievers than believers
• Looking down on other people
• Turning away from seeking forgiveness
• Not being able to accept sincere advice
• Not helping people who are in need
• Misguiding people away from the way of Allah SWT
• Over-emphasizing obvious facts
• Publicizing good deeds
• Being happy when Muslims are suffering
• Being sad when Muslims are successful
• Judging other people and forgetting yourself

References:

• Al-Baqarah, Ayat 8-21
• An-Nisa’, Ayat 138-145
• At-Tawbah, 54-58, 64-68, 101
• As-Saf, Ayat 2
• Al-Munafiqun, Ayat 1-11
• Al-Maa’un, Ayat 1-7

Part 2:

Protecting ourselves from Hypocrisy

We are all at risk of falling into hypocrisy.

We don’t want to have our hearts filled with this disease.

Ask yourself this question, and think about it deeply.
Is Islam, your way of life, or is Islam, just a part of your life?

Realize that Hypocrisy is one of the most serious crimes in Islam.

Surah Al-Munafiqun, Ayat 6:It is all the same for them whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them; never will Allah forgive them. Indeed, Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.

1. Focus on building your relationship with Allah SWT.
2. Make your relationship with Allah SWT a personal and intimate relationship.
3. Show your good deeds only to Allah SWT.
4. Seek knowledge about the wisdom of Islamic beliefs and principles.

HEART-AND-DEEDS CYCLE
Once you start increasing your knowledge about Islam,

1. Your faith (Imaan) becomes stronger.
2. Then, your deeds (Amal) becomes stronger.
3. And the cycle repeats itself again and again, and you become a better Muslim as each day passes by, In Shaa Allah.

*Always, always, always remember these two Golden Rules.

Golden Rule #1

"NOBODY FEELS SAFE FROM HYPOCRISY EXCEPT THE HYPOCRITE NOBODY FEARS HYPOCRISY EXCEPT THE TRUE BELIEVER."

Golden Rule #2

"WE LEARN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HYPOCRISY TO JUDGE OURSELVES, NOT TO JUDGE OTHERS."

Very, Very, Very Useful Link:
Characteristics of ‘Ibaadur Rahmaan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4iFY1g0b5s
Al-Furqan: Ayat 63-77

May Allah Azza wa Jal shower us His Mercy and protects us from having even the slightest characteristic of hypocrisy.

JazakumuAllah Khair!

[May Allah Reward all of you with Goodness!]