The Quran warns us about two kinds of hypocrites: those outside the community of believers, and those within.
The external hypocrites are easy to spot—they do not claim to be Submitters. But the more dangerous kind are the internal hypocrites—those who live among the believers, claim to be Submitters, and speak in the name of God, while their hearts, attitudes, and behavior betray the very values they pretend to uphold.
These are the ones the Quran describes in the harshest terms, warning that their position is not just misguided—it’s spiritually catastrophic:
4:145 The hypocrites will be committed to the lowest pit of Hell, and you will find no one to help them.
Why such a harsh sentence?
Because a disbeliever at least makes their position clear. You know where they stand. But the hypocrite wears the mask of belief, only to betray it. They corrupt the image of the faith from the inside, misleading others, and weakening the moral standing of the community.
Think of it like this: If Bernie Madoff had been a simple bank robber, people would’ve seen him for what he was—a criminal. But because he posed as a trusted financial advisor, he was able to rob people of billions while pretending to protect their wealth. His deceit made his crime far worse.
In the same way, someone who publicly claims to represent Submission to God, while secretly violating its principles, does far more harm than a self-declared disbeliever. Their hypocrisy is not just personal—it’s contagious. And that’s why their punishment is the most severe.
Two Kinds of Hypocrites Among the Believers
Within the community of believers, there are two forms of internal hypocrisy that can emerge—and it is critical to distinguish between them.
The first kind is the person who may hold a flawed or even hypocritical understanding of the religion. They might quietly believe something incorrect, or even speak about it occasionally. Yet, they do not force their views on others, nor do they create conflict or confusion. Their outward behavior is righteous, their worship sincere, and they embody the ethics of Submission in how they treat others. Their test is personal—and their judgment belongs to God.
The second kind is far more dangerous: it is the person who claims all the right beliefs, checks all the doctrinal boxes, and speaks the language of orthodoxy—but their conduct violates the very spirit of Submission. They are arrogant, harsh, divisive, and often aggressive. They slander and exclude others while presenting themselves as defenders of the truth. But through their behavior, they repel people from the path of God, fracture the community, and become obstacles to guidance.
This article focuses on this second type. Because as the Quran repeatedly shows, it is not merely wrong belief that corrupts a community—it is bad behavior disguised as righteousness. And that form of hypocrisy does not just damage the hypocrite—it damages everyone who witnesses it.
Defining Traits of a Hypocrite
At the very beginning of Sura 2, the Quran lays out three categories of people: the believers, the disbelievers, and the hypocrites. Among these, the most detailed—and scathing—description is reserved for the hypocrites.
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.
These verses expose the core traits of hypocrisy:
They pretend to believe, but their hearts are elsewhere.
They deceive themselves, thinking they can fool God and the believers.
They claim righteousness, while actively doing harm.
They reframe their wrongdoing as reform or progress.
They consider the believers of the past as foolish, viewing them as naive.
They mock believers behind their backs.
What’s most terrifying is that the hypocrite begins in awareness, knowing they are insincere—until they deceive even themselves. Over time, their hypocrisy hardens into delusion. They convince themselves that their actions are justified and righteous, even as they drift further from the truth. Their disease is spiritual blindness—and God allows it to grow.
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.
This isn’t just a warning about others—it’s a mirror. These traits don’t always appear suddenly or in others alone. They creep in gradually, even among those who believe they are on the right path. That’s what makes hypocrisy so insidious—and why it demands constant self-examination.
Hypocrites Say What They Do Not Do
At its core, hypocrisy is the disconnect between speech and action. The Quran calls this out directly:
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.
This is the textbook definition of a hypocrite: someone who claims to uphold certain beliefs or virtues, yet fails to live by them. Their words sound righteous, but their actions betray a different reality.
One clear example is this:
If a person expects others to follow a moral standard—criticizing or ostracizing anyone who fails to meet it—yet excuses themselves from the same standard, that is hypocrisy. They set rules not to uphold truth, but to control appearances.
And as the Quran makes clear, this kind of double-dealing is not just wrong—it is “most abominable” in the sight of God.
A Hypocrite Repels People From the Faith
Among the most dangerous aspects of hypocrisy is its repelling effect. The hypocrite, through harshness, arrogance, or contradiction, turns others away from God’s path:
63:2 Under the guise of their apparent faith, they repel the people from the path of GOD. Miserable indeed is what they do.
47:34 Those who disbelieve and repel from the path of GOD, then die as disbelievers, GOD will never forgive them.
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.
58:16 They used their oaths as a means of repelling from the path of GOD. Consequently, they have incurred a shameful retribution.
If a person causes people to be repelled from Submission they are hypocrites. This can happen in a multitude of ways.
They cause individuals to be repelled by their foul behavior and actions
They may abuse their position of “authority when entrusted with it
They attack and chastise believers and potential believers who disagree with them
They drive others deeper into disbelief and hypocrisy. While God explicitly commands believers not to insult the idols of idol worshipers—lest they retaliate by insulting God out of ignorance—the hypocrite disregards this wisdom. Through their harshness, arrogance, or provocation, they violate this command and become the very cause of spiritual harm. Rather than drawing hearts to God, their conduct pushes people further away from Him
Their actions cause fellow submitters to feel embarrassed to call themselves submitters.
They repel believers with their political beliefs and derail people from the religion
How do they repel: by causing (1) confusion, (2) disputes, (3) division
Another defining trait of the behavioral hypocrite is their ability to fracture unity from within. Outwardly, they say the right words, profess loyalty, and insist, “We are with you.” But their true effect is not unity—it’s division. Their presence brings strife, tension, and loss of trust.
9:56 They swear by GOD that they belong with you, while they do not belong with you; they are divisive (yafraquna) people.
Rather than building cohesion, they quietly stir unrest. They inject suspicion, pit believers against one another, and cloak discord in the language of righteousness. The Quran reveals that their participation among the believers in any collective effort only sows strife. Their commitment is not to truth or to unity, but to self-interest—and their influence weakens the very fabric they pretend to support.
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.
Key traits of behavioral hypocrites are their perpetual search for controversial interpretations and use of new understanding to create fitna (strife/civil war) among believers. They use their new understanding as a demarcation line by which they will determine whether one can still be considered a submitter.
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.
They Have a Chip on Their Shoulders
While sincere believers are described in the Quran as kind, gentle, and humble toward one another (52:26), the internal behavioral hypocrite behaves in the exact opposite way, and violates this ethic entirely. Rather than fostering love, patience, and unity among the faithful, they become hostile, suspicious, and aggressive toward their own community—especially toward those who challenge their authority or expose their contradictions.
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.
This verse is especially chilling. It warns that hypocrites often appear respectable—well-dressed, well-spoken, even charismatic. Worse, they are paranoid, interpreting every reminder, warning, or correction as a personal attack. And because of this fragile pride, they lash out, persecute, and divide. The Quran does not hesitate to identify them as “the real enemies”—not because of their open disbelief, but because of their corrosive influence within.
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.
This verse reveals that their hostility can escalate to full-blown persecution. These individuals—while pretending to belong—use slander, manipulation, and aggression to marginalize believers. But God makes it clear: if they do not stop, He will expose and remove them. Their dominance is temporary. Their schemes are doomed.
True believers are identified not by their titles, eloquence, or appearances—but by their compassion, humility, and restraint. The behavioral hypocrite, on the other hand, often speaks the loudest and acts the harshest—all while pretending to serve God.
31:19 “Walk humbly and lower your voice – the ugliest voice is the donkey’s voice.”
They Are Recognizable—By Their Speech
The Quran acknowledges that while God alone knows what lies in the hearts, hypocrites often reveal themselves—not by their faces, but by their method of communication.
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.
This verse offers believers a subtle but powerful form of discernment: listen carefully. Hypocrites often betray their condition through the way they speak—through their harshness, their manipulation of religious language, their condescension toward others, and their obsession with controlling the narrative of who counts as righteous.
God is not asking us to read hearts—but He is showing us that those who are insincere will eventually reveal themselves through their speech, their tone, and their agenda.
They Conspire Secretly
Another mark of the internal behavioral hypocrite is that they operate in the shadows. Their influence isn’t always public—it’s also whispered behind closed doors, where alliances are forged not for righteousness, but for division.
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.
The Quran makes clear: secret meetings are only praiseworthy if their goal is peace, charity, or righteousness. Anything outside of that is suspect. When private conversations are used to undermine, slander, exclude, or divide—they are not innocent gatherings; they are spiritual violations.
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.
Despite being warned against such behavior, the hypocrites persist in secret scheming, convinced that the rules somehow don’t apply to them. They mask their meetings as concern for the faith, but in reality, they use these gatherings to justify ostracizing others, policing belief, and enforcing their own interpretations.
And they deceive themselves into thinking it’s righteous.
They believe their backchannel discussions are exempt from divine accountability. That their motives are pure. That their private criticisms, alliances, and condemnations are somehow in service to God—even as they disobey His clear command.
But the Quran leaves no room for such delusion. Secret plotting that breeds disunity is not overlooked. It is condemned—and punished. The hypocrite whispers, excludes, and conspires—not to strengthen the believers, but to weaken them from within.
They convince themselves their intentions are pure. They say it’s about “preserving the truth” or “protecting the community.” But the Quran exposes this delusion:
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.
This verse reveals just how far the hypocrisy can go. Even sacred spaces are weaponized by the behavioral hypocrite. The masjid—a place meant for unity, humility, and worship—is turned into a staging ground for control, sectarianism, and division. All while the hypocrites insist, “We mean well.” But God sees through the façade and calls it what it is: a lie.
Their behavior doesn’t just harm a few individuals—it corrodes the fabric of community. By dividing the believers, they isolate sincere souls, empower opposition, and make the religion appear harsh, divided, and hypocritical in the eyes of outsiders.
They are not builders of the faith—they are saboteurs in disguise. By forcing people into division, they are dragging people into idol worship.
30:31 You shall submit to Him, reverence Him, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and—whatever you do—do not ever fall into idol worship.
30:32 (Do not fall in idol worship,) like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.
Should Believers Divide Over Hypocrites?
The Quran does not leave us in suspense about whether hypocrites exist among the believing community. It is a confirmed reality. They will be there—present in every generation, among every group that claims to follow the path of God.
But just as importantly, the Quran gives us clear instructions on how to respond: we are not to divide ourselves over them.
4:88 Why should you divide yourselves into two groups regarding hypocrites (among you)? GOD is the one who condemned them because of their own behavior. Do you want to guide those who are sent astray by GOD? Whomever GOD sends astray, you can never find a way to guide them.
This verse addresses a dangerous impulse: the urge to form factions over how to deal with visible hypocrisy. Some call for inclusion, others for expulsion. Some argue for patience, others for public exposure. But the Quran is clear: division over the hypocrites is itself a trap. It drains the community’s focus, sows internal strife, and ultimately serves the very hypocrisy it seeks to resist.
We see a powerful example of this wisdom in the story of Aaron. When the Children of Israel turned to idol worship in Moses’s absence, Aaron refrained from immediately dividing over the matter. Though their actions were clearly sinful, he feared that a harsh response would tear the people apart and even push potentially good souls further into disbelief.
Even in the face of open rebellion, Aaron prioritized unity over escalation. His restraint was not weakness—it was leadership rooted in foresight. He knew that premature division could do more lasting damage than the sin itself.
Likewise, we are reminded in the Quran that hypocrites expose themselves by their own behavior. God has already passed judgment—not based on suspicion, hearsay, or politics, but on the clear evidence of their conduct. And when someone repeatedly chooses deception over sincerity, God allows them to go astray. No one can guide them back unless He wills it.
Trying to force unity by coercing those whom God has allowed to deviate is not only futile—it becomes a sinful distraction. It weakens the collective spirit and turns believers against one another.
So the command is unmistakable: Do not let the hypocrites divide you—not by their actions, and not by your reactions. Let their behavior condemn them. Let God deal with them. And let the community stay anchored in sincerity, guided by truth, and united by purpose.
Can Believers Pray Behind Hypocrites?
A common question that arises when dealing with hypocrisy within the community is this: Are believers committing a sin if they pray behind someone who exhibits signs or holds beliefs of that of a hypocrite?
The Quran addresses this concern not with speculation, but with measured, principled guidance. While it acknowledges the presence of hypocrites among believers, it also warns us against overstepping our bounds—especially when it comes to judging those who outwardly dedicate themselves to God.
6:52 And do not dismiss those who implore their Lord day and night, devoting themselves to Him alone. You are not responsible for their reckoning, nor are they responsible for your reckoning. If you dismiss them, you will be a transgressor.
This verse sets a clear boundary: if someone is consistently calling upon their Lord, showing devotion outwardly, we are forbidden from excluding them. Their inner reckoning belongs to God, not to us. To cast them aside based on their wrong understandings when outwardly everything they do in their worship is that of a Submitter would make one a transgressor.
At the same time, the Quran does give us discernment regarding those who are openly hostile or divisive:
4:89 They wish that you disbelieve as they have disbelieved, then you become equal. Do not consider them friends, unless they mobilize along with you in the cause of GOD. If they turn against you, you shall fight them, and you may kill them when you encounter them in war. You shall not accept them as friends, or allies.
Here, the line is drawn—not around mere suspicion or hidden hypocrisy, but around hostile action. If someone turns against the believers or opposes the cause of God, that’s a different matter. But there’s a powerful exception in the verse: “unless they mobilize along with you in the cause of God.” This means we can even befriend hypocrites as long as they don’t fight the believers and mobilize in the cause of God.
Now ask yourself: What more noble form of mobilization is there than joining the Friday Congregational Prayer? To rise, prepare, and attend a gathering where God’s name is glorified, where sermons remind us of His mercy and greatness, and where believers stand side by side in reverence and humility—this is the very essence of mobilizing for God’s cause.