Hypocrisy
Al-Risala (English), September 1987, p. 5
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Hypocrisy
1987 9 September 5-6 Hypocrisy (739) “There are four characteristics, a combination of which brand an individual as a thorough-going hypocrite – These are treachery, mendacity, unreliability in keeping promises and a tendency to quarrel.” This saying of the Prophet reported by Abd Allah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas, has been recorded by Bukhari and Muslim. Muslim adds, significantly, that a hypocrite is a hypocrite, “even if he fasts, prays and thinks he is a Muslim.” Again, according to Abu Hurayrah the Prophet observes: “There are two characteristics which are never combined in a hypocrite: good character and true understanding of religion.”
These words, uttered by the Prophet so many centuries ago are still – regrettably – of relevance today. The moral degeneracy which, in latter days, has set in Muslim nations, takes us right back to the Judaism of ancient times. By religious definition, hypocrisy is mere lip-service, to belief in God and the prophets without faith having penetrated to the innermost recesses of one’s heart. It is to claim adherence to divine teachings while, in practice, one’s life is devoid of their influence.
The particular aspects of hypocrisy which have been enumerated in the Quran and Hadith are those very traits which have been cited as being characteristic of the Jews, the worst of them being betrayal of trust. “Among them are some who, if you trust them with one dinar will not hand it back unless you demand it with importunity,” (Quran 3:75). Amongst the Jews were many who had abandoned the worship of God and had become worshippers of the world. But to conceal their worldliness they had donned the cloak of religion. Their hypocrisy consisted of outer piety masking inner worldliness. In reality, a Jew is not pious; he merely puts up a facade of holiness. In the same way, the hypocrite is not truly religious; the piety which he manifests is little better than an outer shell.
Of the weaknesses which are sooner or later exposed in such people, the foremost is their lack of trust-worthiness in worldly Transactions. If, for example, any property is placed under their management, any position commanding respect is designated to them, or anything of material value is entrusted to them, they do not fulfill the expectations to which one would normally feel entitled to from the religious and moral standpoint, when entering into such a transaction. Superficially, such people are pleasant and amicable, but their words are bereft of true sincerity. They put on a semblance of good character, but, in the way they live, there is no real virtue. Embezzlement of funds, failure to keep promises unlawful appropriation of others’ property, using one’s position for personal ends – all these constitute a breach of trust in one form or the other. Just as this was common among the Jews, so it is to be found in all those so-called Muslims who have been called hypocrites in the Quran and Hadith. Judaism and hypocrisy are in fact synonyms of pseudo-piety.
Hypocrisy has also been mentioned in the Quran as if it were a disease: “There is a sickness in their hearts which God has increased: they shall be sternly punished for their hypocrisy” (Quran 2:10).
What is the root cause of hypocrisy? This ‘sickness’ as the Quran terms it, has been traced by the companions and their followers to ostentation and doubt. This pernicious combination of motivating forces in a man is indeed what produces hypocrisy. When the hypocrite speaks, he chooses his words to mask his true feelings and at the same time make the best possible impression on his hearers. When he acts, he makes sure that his actions never reveal his true attitudes and always present him in the most attractive possible light. If he can bring himself to such baseness, it is because he does not really believe that God has the power to look into his heart. Nor does he accept the fact that whatever one possesses is a gift bestowed by God. His actions are mean and evil. Why? Because he is lacking in any conviction that God will hold him to account for his behaviour on the Day of Judgement. He indulges in fraudulent practices. Why? Because he does not have the fear that God will one day expose his duplicity, or that he risks eternal dishonour. The Prophet wisely observed: “1 am afraid of what hypocrites who speak wisely but act cruelly will do to this community” (Bayhiqi).
