Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim; Today’s topic of discussion is the Meaning and Signs of Munafiq or hypocrite in Islam and what is the punishment of a Munafiq. To know about a Munafiq, you first need to know about Nifaq.
What does Nifaq mean?
Hypocrisy is an Arabic word; its lexical meaning is hypocrisy, adopting a two-faced policy. In the technical sense, when Islam is practiced by hiding inner disbelief, it is called hypocrisy. In simple terms, when only inner disbelief exists and there is no open disbelief, it is called hypocrisy. Again, it can be said that practicing Islam without faith is called hypocrisy. Only if we understand what faith and Islam are, we will be able to understand hypocrisy correctly.
What is faith?
Faith is the firm belief in the heart in all aspects of Tawhid, that is, the oneness of God; faith is a matter of the heart; it resides in the heart.
What is Islam?
Islam is surrender to the law of one God. Surrender is a combination of two things. One is the word, i.e. the verbal recognition of monotheism, and the other is the action, i.e. the implementation of monotheism in action.
What is Nifaq?
In simple words, it can be said that there is no faith, that is, there is no firm and complete belief in Tawhid in the heart, that is, there is belief in some kind of Shirk in the heart, that is, there is Kufr in the heart, but keeping it hidden and practicing Islam is called hypocrisy.
Munafiq Meaning
Those who practice Islam while hiding their inner disbelief are called hypocrites. In simple terms, those who only have inner disbelief and do not have open disbelief are called hypocrites.
Again, it can be said that the one who does not have faith, that is, does not have a firm and complete belief in Tawhid in his heart, that is, he believes in some kind of polytheism in his heart, that is, he has disbelief in his heart, but keeps it a secret and practices Islam, his name is a hypocrite.
What are the signs of a Munafiq?
Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The signs of a hypocrite are three: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays it.
(Bukhari, Muslim, Mishkat).
Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Whoever possesses four characteristics is a pure hypocrite; whoever possesses any one of these characteristics remains a hypocrite until he abandons it.
1. Betrayal when the deposit is made
2. When you speak, you lie.
3. If you make a promise, you break it.
4. Uses obscene language when in conflict
(Bukhari Part 2: /24H34, Muslim 1/25H58)
The punishment of the Munafiq
Allah Almighty says about the evil and consequences of hypocrisy:
The hypocrites will surely be in the lowest level of Hell, and you will never find for them any helpers.
(Surah An-Nisa, verse no. 145)
