On Hypocrisy, Deceit, Murder, & Addictions
In the light of Islam, there are certain prohibitions that not only prevent us from doing wrong, but also guide us towards divine mercy and eternal salvation. Allah has warned us against hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a spiritual illness of the heart; it is an inner corruption that destroys sincerity and disrupts the healthy functioning of community life.
The Quran describes hypocrites as follows: “The hypocrites, men and women, are alike. They encourage
what is evil, forbid what is good, and are miserly. They have forgotten Allah,
so Allah has forgotten them.” (At-Tauba 9: 67)
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) defined the signs of a
hypocrite: “When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he does not
keep it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
These are the signs of a hypocrite. The Prophet
(pbuh) also said: “Four traits make a person a complete hypocrite: betrayal,
lying, breaking promises, and concealing the truth during disputes.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Social hypocrisy is also condemned. Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “There is nothing more serious than a person with two faces.” (Bukhari, Muslim)