List of the Characteristics of Hypocrites in the Qur'an

Question

What signs and characteristics of hypocrisy and hypocrites has the Qur'an mentioned?

The Quran has described the individual and social signs and characteristics of hypocrisy and hypocrites.

The **individual signs of hypocrites** in the Quran include: - **Lethargy in prayer and hypocrisy (Riya):** ﴾Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little.﴿ - **Discrepancy between words and actions:** Hypocrites falsely testify to monotheism and prophethood while lacking true faith in their hearts: ﴾When the hypocrites come to you, they say, "We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah." And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are liars.﴿ The Quran states that one of the characteristics of hypocrites is their claim to believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment while lacking true faith in their hearts. - **Turning away from Allah and His Messenger:** ﴾And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger," you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion.﴿ - **Outward adornment and sweet talk:** The Quran mentions that hypocrites have an attractive appearance and speak sweetly: ﴾And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech.﴿ However, their inner reality is different: ﴾They are like hollow trunks of wood, propped up, who think that every cry is against them.﴿ Hypocrites are like lifeless bodies, empty shells with no independence, no inner light, and no firm will or faith, resembling dry wood leaning against a wall. - **Multiple personalities:** Hypocrites change their colors daily, aligning themselves with whatever group they are among. This is another characteristic described in the Quran: ﴾And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers."﴿

Social Characteristics

- **Distrust in Allah:** ﴾And [that] He may punish the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the polytheist men and polytheist women—those who assume about Allah an assumption of evil nature. Upon them is a misfortune of evil nature; and Allah has become angry with them and has cursed them and prepared for them Hell, and evil it is as a destination.﴿ Hypocrites were also distrustful of the promises of the **Prophet (SAWA)**, considering them mere deception. - **Unhealthy political and cultural taste:** ﴾The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They enjoin what is wrong and forbid what is right and close their hands. They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them [accordingly]. Indeed, the hypocrites—it is they who are the defiantly disobedient.﴿ - **Avoidance of Jihad:** ﴾And so that He might make evident those who are hypocrites. For it was said to them, "Come, fight in the way of Allah or [at least] defend." They said, "If we had known [there would be] fighting, we would have followed you." They were nearer to disbelief that day than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah is most Knowing of what they conceal.﴿ - **Life filled with fear:** ﴾The hypocrites are afraid that a surah will be revealed about them, informing them of what is in their hearts. Say, "Mock [as you wish]; indeed, Allah will expose that which you fear."﴿ - **Breaking promises and lying:** ﴾So He penalized them with hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him—because they failed Allah in what they promised Him and because they [habitually] used to lie.﴿ In other verses, it is mentioned that hypocrites make promises of support and alliances but do not fulfill them, and Allah knows them to be liars and promise-breakers. - **Arrogance:** The Quran describes arrogance as one of the characteristics of hypocrites. They are not even willing to let the Prophet (SAWA) seek forgiveness for them: ﴾And when it is said to them, "Come, the Messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you," they turn their heads aside, and you see them evading while they are arrogant.﴿ Allah further states that it makes no difference whether the Prophet seeks forgiveness for them or not, for Allah will never forgive them, as He does not guide the defiantly disobedient people. They are the ones who say, "Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they disperse." Yet, the treasures of the heavens and the earth belong to Allah, but the hypocrites do not understand. - **Deceptive and aimless:** After warning hypocrites of a painful punishment, the Quran describes some of their characteristics, including deceit and aimlessness: ﴾Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little. Wavering between them, [belonging] neither to these nor to those. And whoever Allah leaves astray—never will you find for him a way.﴿ - **Preventing society from charity:** ﴾They are the ones who say, "Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they disperse." And to Allah belong the depositories of the heavens and the earth, but the hypocrites do not understand.﴿ - **Using oaths to mislead society:** After describing hypocrites as liars in their claims of faith in the Prophet (SAWA), the Quran mentions their use of oaths as another sign: ﴾They have taken their oaths as a cover, so they averted [people] from the way of Allah. Indeed, it was evil that they were doing.﴿ Hypocrites are constantly at war with believers and should not be deceived by their outward appearance, sweet talk, or false oaths. They always swear that they are with the believers. Hypocrites swear that they are Muslims and have no intention other than reform, but under the cover of these oaths, they engage in corruption, sabotage, and conspiracy. In reality, they use the sacred name of Allah to prevent people from following His path. - **Opportunism:** In verse 141 of Surah An-Nisa, Allah describes another aspect of the hypocrites' disturbed thoughts and characteristics. They are always looking for opportunities to benefit themselves: ﴾They are the ones who wait and watch you. If you gain a victory, they say, "Were we not with you?" But if the disbelievers gain a success, they say [to them], "Did we not side with you and protect you from the believers?" But Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will never give the disbelievers a way [to overcome] the believers.﴿