Hypocrisy (nifaq)

Ibn Rajab defines hypocrisy (nifaq), in the forty-eighth hadith of his additions to the Forty, by its practical signs: "Four things, whoever has them is a hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has a trait of hypocrisy until he leaves it." These are lying in speech, breaking a promise, treachery in disputes, and betrayal of a covenant. ¹

The commentary explains that the gathering of the four traits is full hypocrisy, while the presence of one of them is a trait of hypocrisy that does not by itself amount to unbelief. In the version of Abu Hurayra: "even if he fasts and prays and claims that he is a Muslim." ¹

Ibn Rajab mentions an interpretation by someone inclined to the doctrine of postponement (irja'), who took the hadith to refer only to the hypocrites of the Prophet's time, through a report from Muhammad al-Muharram from Ata' from Jabir. Ibn Rajab rejects it, saying that this report is false, and that al-Muharram is known for lying. ¹

Within its chapter, it is part of faith in its relation to deeds.

He says hypocrisy in Medina was led by Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, and that the Prophet did not order any of his Companions to kill him. ^{2 3} He divides hypocrisy into three kinds: in belief, in worship, and in conduct. ⁴ For him, hypocrisy in worship is showing fasting or deeds before people while not doing them in private. ⁵ Hypocrisy in conduct is showing the face of Abu Bakr while the heart is that of Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab. ⁶ He says the hypocrite does not show mercy to believers, and that a heart filled with mercy does not know the way of hypocrisy. ^{4 7}

The speaker distinguishes a person who behaves one way at work and another way at home, and calls this hypocrisy of conduct ⁸.

The Sheikh says that the first level is for the disobedient monotheists who died with debts owed to people, and he holds that the punishment of the hypocrites is harsher than that of the Jews. This is a comparison between groups that he presents as his own view, which has not been checked against a source (needs_source, his view). ⁹