The opening verses of Sura 2 of the Quran define the three kinds of people:
1. The Righteous
2:3 who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity. 2:4 And they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain. 2:5 These are guided by their Lord; these are the winners.
2. The Disbelievers
2:6 As for those who disbelieve, it is the same for them; whether you warn them, or not warn them, they cannot believe. GOD seals their minds and their hearing, and their eyes are veiled. They have incurred severe retribution.
2:8 Then there are those who say, “We believe in GOD and the Last Day,” while they are not believers. 2:9 In trying to deceive GOD and those who believe, they only deceive themselves without perceiving. 2:10 In their minds there is a disease. Consequently, GOD augments their disease. They have incurred a painful retribution for their lying. 2:11 When they are told, “Do not commit evil,” they say, “But we are righteous!” 2:12 In fact, they are evildoers, but they do not perceive. 2:13 When they are told, “Believe like the people who believed,” they say, “Shall we believe like the fools who believed?” In fact, it is they who are fools, but they do not know. 2:14 When they meet the believers, they say, “We believe,” but when alone with their devils, they say, “We are with you; we were only mocking.” 2:15 GOD mocks them, and leads them on in their transgressions, blundering. 2:16 It is they who bought the straying, at the expense of guidance. Such trade never prospers, nor do they receive any guidance.
Why are the hypocrites so despised by God?
4:145 The hypocrites will be committed to the lowest pit of Hell, and you will find no one to help them.
Someone who disbelieves at least is being honest about where they stand, but someone who is a hypocrite is a bad example for the group they claim to represent.
If Bernie Madoff was a bank robber, he would have had more respect than claiming to be a financial investor and robbing people of billions of dollars; at least with a crook, they are not hiding what they are.
A hypocrite repels people from the faith by setting a bad example under the guise of belief.
47:1 Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, He nullifies their works.
47:32 Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, and oppose the messenger after the guidance has been manifested for them, will never hurt GOD in the least. Instead, He nullifies their works.
47:34 Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, then die as disbelievers, GOD will never forgive them.
What are the traits of a hypocrite, & How do we identify hypocrisy (this applies to ourselves and others)?
47:29 Did those who harbor doubts in their hearts think that GOD will not bring out their evil thoughts?
47:30 If we will, we can expose them for you, so that you can recognize them just by looking at them. However, you can recognize them by the way they talk. GOD is fully aware of all your works.
1. They harbor doubts about God
Disbelievers don’t “harbor doubt;” they simply disbelieve.
But a hypocrite “harbors doubt,” and they feed that doubt rather than trying to eliminate it.
This is different than a believer. A believer may have doubt, but rather than feeding that doubt, they try to eliminate it (2:260).
22:53 He thus sets up the devil’s scheme as a test for those who harbor doubts in their hearts, and those whose hearts are hardened. The wicked must remain with the opposition.
2:14 When they meet the believers, they say, “We believe,” but when alone with their devils, they say, “We are with you; we were only mocking.”
2. They manifest their doubt by trying to make the believers doubt God’s promise
63:8 They say, “If we go back to the city, the powerful therein will evict the weak (and we will be victimized).” (They should know that) all dignity belongs to GOD and His messenger, and the believers. However, the hypocrites do not know.
8:49 The hypocrites and those who harbored doubt in their hearts said, “These people are deceived by their religion.” However, if one puts his trust in GOD, then GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
33:12 The hypocrites and those with doubts in their hearts said, “What GOD and His messenger promised us was no more than an illusion!”
33:13 A group of them said, “O people of Yathrib, you cannot attain victory; go back.” Others made up excuses to the prophet: “Our homes are vulnerable,” when they were not vulnerable. They just wanted to flee.
3. They say what they do not do:
61:2 O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do? 61:3 Most abominable in the sight of GOD is that you say what you do not do.
59:11 Have you noted those who are plagued with hypocrisy, and how they said to their companions in disbelief among the people of the scripture, “If you are evicted we will go out with you, and will never obey anyone who opposes you. If anyone fights you, we will fight on your side.” GOD bears witness that they are liars.
59:12 In fact, if they were evicted, they would not have gone out with them, and if anyone fought them, they would not have supported them. Even if they supported them, they would have turned around and fled. They could never win.
4. They lie
[Al-Munaafeqoon (Hypocrites) 63:1] When the hypocrites come to you they say, “We bear witness that you are the messenger of GOD.” GOD knows that you are His messenger, and GOD bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.
28:44 You were not present on the slope of the western mount, when we issued the command to Moses; you were not a witness.
40:60 Have you noted those who claim that they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you, then uphold the unjust laws of their idols? They were commanded to reject such laws. Indeed, it is the devil’s wish to lead them far astray.
9:77 Consequently, He plagued them with hypocrisy in their hearts, till the day they meet Him. This is because they broke their promises to GOD, and because of their lying.
48:11 The sedentary Arabs who stay behind will say, “We have been preoccupied with our money and our families, so ask forgiveness for us!” They utter with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say, “Who can protect you from GOD, if He willed any adversity for you, or if He willed any blessing for you?” GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
Believers need to maintain our word
16:91 You shall fulfill your covenant with GOD when you make such a covenant. You shall not violate the oaths after swearing (by God) to carry them out, for you have made GOD a guarantor for you. GOD knows everything you do.
16:92 Do not be like the knitter who unravels her strong knitting into piles of flimsy yarn. This is your example if you abuse the oaths to take advantage of one another. Whether one group is larger than the other, GOD thus puts you to the test. He will surely show you on the Day of Resurrection everything you had disputed.
16:93 Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He sends astray whoever chooses to go astray, and He guides whoever wishes to be guided. You will surely be asked about everything you have done.
16:94 Do not abuse the oaths among you, lest you slide back after having a strong foothold, then you incur misery. Such is the consequence of repelling from the path of GOD (by setting a bad example); you incur a terrible retribution.
16:95 Do not sell your oaths before GOD short. What GOD possesses is far better for you, if you only knew.
16:96 What you possess runs out, but what GOD possesses lasts forever. We will surely reward those who steadfastly persevere; we will recompense them for their righteous works.
5. They repel from the path of God
58:16 They used their oaths as a means of repelling from the path of GOD. Consequently, they have incurred a shameful retribution.
63:2 Under the guise of their apparent faith, they repel the people from the path of GOD. Miserable indeed is what they do.
63:5 When they are told, “Come let the messenger of GOD pray for your forgiveness,” they mockingly turn their heads, and you see them repel others and act arrogantly.
6. How do they repel: by causing (1) confusion, (2) disputes, (3) division
9:56 They swear by GOD that they belong with you, while they do not belong with you; they are divisive (yafraquna) people.
Divisive: tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people. Cause division
9:47 Had they (the hypocrites) mobilized with you, they would have created confusion, and would have caused disputes and divisions among you. Some of you were apt to listen to them. GOD is fully aware of the transgressors.
3:7 He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses—which constitute the essence of the scripture—as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses. Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to create confusion (l-fit’nati), and to extricate a certain meaning (tawīlihi). None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, “We believe in this—all of it comes from our Lord.” Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
7. They conspire
4:114 There is nothing good about their private conferences, except for those who advocate charity, or righteous works, or making peace among the people. Anyone who does this, in response to GOD’s teachings, we will grant him a great recompense.
58:8 Have you noted those who were enjoined from conspiring secretly, then insist on conspiring? They conspire to commit sin, transgression, and disobedience of the messenger. When they come to you, they greet you with a greeting other than that decreed by GOD. They say inside themselves, “GOD will not punish us for our utterances.” Their only requital is Gehenna, wherein they burn; what a miserable destiny.
Their refusal to say “peace” or “Salam Alaikum.”
6:54 When those who believe in our revelations come to you, you shall say, “Salãmun ‘Alaykum (Peace be upon you). Your Lord has decreed that mercy is His attribute. Thus, anyone among you who commits a transgression out of ignorance, and repents thereafter and reforms, then He is Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
8. They Advocate Vice
9:67 The hypocrite men and the hypocrite women belong with each other— they advocate evil and prohibit righteousness, and they are stingy. They forgot GOD, so He forgot them. The hypocrites are truly wicked.
9. They think that their sinful behavior is righteous
35:8 Note the one whose evil work is adorned in his eyes, until he thinks that it is righteous. GOD thus sends astray whoever wills (to go astray), and He guides whoever wills (to be guided). Therefore, do not grieve over them. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
9:107 There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose GOD and His messenger. They solemnly swear: “Our intentions are honorable!” GOD bears witness that they are liars.
72:18 The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD. 72:19 When GOD’s servant advocated Him alone, almost all of them banded together to oppose him.
10. They are aggressive
Hypocrites have a chip on their shoulder
[Al-Munaafeqoon 63:4] When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks. And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence. They are like standing logs. They think that every call is intended against them. These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.
22:72 When our revelations are recited to them, clearly, you recognize wickedness on the faces of those who disbelieve. They almost attack those who recite our revelations to them. Say, “Shall I inform you of something much worse? Hell is promised by GOD for those who disbelieve; what a miserable destiny.”
11. They persecute the believers
33:60 Unless the hypocrites, and those with disease in their hearts, and the vicious liars of the city refrain (from persecuting you), we will surely grant you the upper hand, then they will be forced to leave within a short while.
59:13 Indeed, you strike more terror in their hearts than their fear of GOD. This is because they are people who do not comprehend.
59:14 They do not get together to fight you unless they are in well-shielded buildings, or behind walls. Their might appears formidable among themselves. You would think that they are united, when in fact their hearts are divided. This is because they are people who do not understand.
12. They distort God’s words
48:15 The sedentary who stay behind will say, when you are expected to collect spoils of war, “Let us follow you to share in this!” They thus wish to alter GOD’s words. Say, “You will not follow us. This is GOD’s decision.” They will then say, “You must be envious of us (for staying behind).” Indeed, they rarely understood anything.
3:161 Even the prophet cannot take more of the spoils of war than he is entitled to. Anyone who takes more than his rightful share will have to account for it on the Day of Resurrection. That is when each soul is paid for whatever it earned, without the least injustice.
8:67 No prophet shall acquire captives, unless he participates in the fighting. You people are seeking the materials of this world, while GOD advocates the Hereafter. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
5:41 O you messenger, do not be saddened by those who hasten to disbelieve among those who say, “We believe,” with their mouths, while their hearts do not believe. Among the Jews, some listened to lies. They listened to people who never met you, and who distorted the words out of context, then said, “If you are given this, accept it, but if you are given anything different, beware.” Whomever GOD wills to divert, you can do nothing to help him against GOD. GOD does not wish to cleanse their hearts. They have incurred humiliation in this world, and in the Hereafter, they will suffer a terrible retribution.
2:75 Do you expect them to believe as you do, when some of them used to hear the word of GOD, then distort it, with full understanding thereof, and deliberately?
2:76 And when they meet the believers, they say, “We believe,” but when they get together with each other, they say, “Do not inform (the believers) of the information given to you by GOD, lest you provide them with support for their argument concerning your Lord. Do you not understand?”
13. They make excuses
9:49 Some of them would say, “Give me permission (to stay behind); do not impose such a hardship on me.” In fact, they have thus incurred a terrible hardship; Hell is surrounding the disbelievers.
3:165 Now that you have suffered a setback, and even though you inflicted twice as much suffering (upon your enemy), you said, “Why did this happen to us?” Say, “This is a consequence of your own deeds.” GOD is Omnipotent.
3:166 What afflicted you the day the two armies clashed was in accordance with GOD’s will, and to distinguish the believers.
3:167 And to expose the hypocrites who were told, “Come fight in the cause of GOD, or contribute.” They said, “If we knew how to fight, we would have joined you.” They were closer to disbelief then than they were to belief. They uttered with their mouths what was not in their hearts. GOD knows what they conceal.
3:168 They said of their kinsmen, as they stayed behind, “Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed.” Say, “Then prevent your own death, if you are truthful.”
3:168 They said of their kinsmen, as they stayed behind, “Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed.” Say, “Then prevent your own death, if you are truthful.”
14. They do not mobilize or strive
9:81 The sedentary rejoiced in their staying behind the messenger of GOD, and hated to strive with their money and their lives in the cause of GOD. They said, “Let us not mobilize in this heat!” Say, “The fire of Hell is much hotter,” if they could only comprehend.
9:86 When a sura is revealed, stating: “Believe in GOD, and strive with His messenger,” even the strong among them say, “Let us stay behind!”
33:18 GOD is fully aware of the hinderers among you, and those who say to their comrades, “Let us all stay behind.” Rarely do they mobilize for defense.
33:19 Also, they are too stingy when dealing with you. If anything threatens the community, you see their eyes rolling with fear, as if death had already come to them. Once the crisis is over, they whip you with sharp tongues. They are too stingy with their wealth. These are not believers, and, consequently, GOD has nullified their works. This is easy for GOD to do.
4:72 Surely, there are those among you who would drag their feet, then, if a setback afflicts you, they would say, “GOD has blessed me that I was not martyred with them.”
4:73 But if you attain a blessing from GOD, they would say, as if no friendship ever existed between you and them, “I wish I was with them, so I could share in such a great victory.”
9:46 Had they really wanted to mobilize, they would have prepared for it thoroughly. But GOD disliked their participation, so He discouraged them; they were told, “Stay behind with those who are staying behind.”
Even in their worship practices, they are lazy
4:142 The hypocrites think that they are deceiving GOD, but He is the One who leads them on. When they get up for the Contact Prayer (Salat), they get up lazily. That is because they only show off in front of the people, and rarely do they think of GOD.
9:54 What prevented the acceptance of their spending is that they disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and when they observed the Contact Prayers (Salat), they observed them lazily, and when they gave to charity, they did so grudgingly.
15. They want the quick material gain
9:42 I f there were a quick material gain, and a short journey, they would have followed you. But the striving is just too much for them. They will swear by GOD: “If we could, we would have mobilized with you.” They thus hurt themselves, and GOD knows that they are liars.
16. They are wishy-washy
58:14 Have you noted those who befriended people with whom GOD is angry? They neither belong with you, nor with them. They deliberately swear lies!
4:141 They watch you and wait; i f you attain victory from GOD, they say (to you), “Were we not with you?” But if the disbelievers get a turn, they say (to them), “Did we not side with you, and protect you from the believers?” GOD will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection. GOD will never permit the disbelievers to prevail over the believers.
4:143 They waver in between, neither belonging to this group, nor that group. Whomever GOD sends astray, you will never find a way to guide him.
4:144 O you who believe, you shall not ally yourselves with the disbelievers, instead of the believers. Do you wish to provide GOD with a clear proof against you?
26:221 Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend?
26:222 They descend upon every guilty fabricator.
26:223 They pretend to listen, but most of them are liars.
26:224 As for the poets, they are followed only by the strayers.
26:225 Do you not see that their loyalty shifts according to the situation?
26:226 And that they say what they do not do?
17. They are closer to disbelief than they are to belief
4:138 Inform the hypocrites that they have incurred painful retribution.
4:139 They are the ones who ally themselves with disbelievers instead of believers. Are they seeking dignity with them? All dignity belongs with GOD alone.
9:50 If something good happens to you, they hurt, and if an affliction befalls you, they say, “We told you so,” as they turn away rejoicing.
33:14 Had the enemy invaded and asked them to join, they would have joined the enemy without hesitation.
Why would God allow hypocrites?
The purpose of this world is to bring out our true convictions. To see our true convictions, we must be tested. The hypocrites test us in this manner, similar to the devil.
3:140 If you suffer hardship, the enemy also suffers the same hardship. We alternate the days of victory and defeat among the people. GOD thus distinguishes the true believers, and blesses some of you with martyrdom. GOD dislikes injustice.
3:141 GOD thus toughens (وَلِيُمَحِّصَ) those who believe and humiliates the disbelievers.
Comparing believers to refined metal makes the hypocrites impurities that will naturally be eliminated when put to the test through hardship/adversity. In this case, it is through the flames of war.