Who is a Muslim

The Hypocrite in Islam

A hypocrite in Islam is one who saw Islam; accepted its principles; embraced it; went along with it, but when his life style and preferences were challenged, Islam had failed with him. He knowingly wouldn't follow Islam because it would violate a certain life style that he adopted, ego, or standard that is too important to him, even though it directly violates Islam.

The difference between a hypocrite and a normal Muslim who sins, is that a hypocrite adopts an unacceptable life style and actions, and insists on following it, while a normal Muslim knows that he is wrong, tries to resist doing sins, but unfortunately sometimes, he still falls into sinning due to immaturity or physical weaknesses.

In a nut shell, this is what a hypocrite is in Islam. A hypocrite is a "Muslim". He is not an apostate (murtadd), nor is he a polytheist or idol worshiper (mushrik), nor is he an atheist (mulhid). A hypocrite does declare Islam as his religion, and in some cases even prays to GOD Almighty and fasts the month of Ramadan. Not everyone who Prays to Allah Almighty, however, is a good Muslim. Allah Almighty said:

"So woe to the worshipers Who are neglectful Of their Prayers, Those who (want but) To be seen (of men), But refuse (to supply) (Even) neighbourly needs. (The Noble Quran, 107:4-7)"

"The Hypocrites - they think they are over-reaching God, but He will over-reach them: When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do they hold God in remembrance; (The Noble Quran, 4:142)"

Those who are neglectful of their Prayers that are considered as hypocrites are ones who pray to only gain recognition by men, and refuse to do good. They do not connect spiritually with Allah Almighty when they pray 5 times every day, because the sole purpose of Praying in Islam is to Worship Allah Almighty alone throughout the day, and to constantly stay focused and purified from sins.

Hypocrites are obviously not purified nor cleansed from sins, even if they pray. That is why Allah Almighty cursed them, because they are spiritually "neglectful" of their Prayers.

Types of Hypocrites

Hypocrisy towards God regarding actual faith. (Q2:8) and (Q2:14)

Hypocrisy towards the tenets of faith: for example, somebody may believe in God , Judgment Day, accounting, scales of deeds and Hellfire (with an uncertainty and doubt) but not fear them at all (in actual) or not refrain from committing sins because of them. Yet he claims, "I fear God."

Hypocrisy towards others: somebody is double-faced and double-tongued. He praises someone in their presence, then, behind their back, he denounces them and tries to cause them pain and harm them.

Allah has divided people into two. The Hypocrite and the Devine worshipers. The Hypocrite are the type of people that have been blessed with spoken words that will capture the attention of people but they use it for their own benefit. They will go through any means of using people and corrupt them. They might be Muslims but they are Hypocrite in their actions.

Some of their qualities include the following:
1. They have the ability to speak well with words.
When you hear them speak for the first time, it feels like they are capable and determined to be faithful and honest in their dealings but people that think straight will see through their lies and deciet.
"And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. [They are] as if they were pieces of wood propped up - they think that every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?"
(QS. Al-Munaafiqoon 63: Verse 4)

2. They are quick to mention Allah when making promise or speaking to people in order to gain their trust. Words like 'Wallahi', 'in the name of Allah', by the holy Qur'an Etc. But they usually know the truth and still disregard it.
3. They make a long unnecessary argument even if it's false. They could argue over even things that are out in the open and still make it long while involving others.
4. They are full of pride and arrogance. You can't correct them even if they are wrong. E.g if you try to correct their Deen, they will argue that that's how they saw others doing it without admitting to the mistake or correcting it.
5. The are corrupt and they can corrupt what ever have been entrust to them. They can currupt a land, a post in office, a child in their care, a farm in their care Etc. Everything they touch will be corrupted because they have been cursed.