THE SIGNS OF HYPOCRISY
Weak Personality
IT is narrated by Abdullah bin Amr that the Prophet of Islam said: “There are four traits and if anyone has them he is surely a hypocrite, and if any person has any one of them, he still reveals the flaw of hypocrisy unless he renounces it. They are: he betrays the trust of others; he speaks falsehood; he does not keep his promises; and when differences arise, he will not hesitate to fight.”
This Hadith outlines the character of a hypocrite. A hypocrite is one who becomes insensitive in matters of truth and falsehood, because he does not fear God. Such a person becomes unprincipled. Having no sense of accountability, he is obedient not to the principles of truth but to his self-interest. He does not attach any importance to moral values. As a result, if such a person is entrusted with anything, he breaks his trust. When he talks, he does not bind himself to speak the truth. He speaks easily such things that are at variance with facts. Such a man is not true to his word, and he breaks his promises easily after they are made.
Similarly, when such a man finds himself in the midst of controversy or develops some difference with others, he fails to maintain himself on justice. Instead of talking in a scientific and logical manner, he starts making accusations. Instead of entering into serious discussion, he behaves in a quarrelsome manner. Instead of keeping the dialogue within the limits of logic, he abuses his interlocutor. Instead of making scientific analysis, he passes negative remarks. Instead of remaining in touch with reality, he talks on the basis of guesswork. Instead of limiting himself to the issue at hand, he starts talking on the basis of assumptions. Instead of discussing the matter on the basis of principles, he brings personal considerations into the matter. Finally, he accuses his adversary of saying something that he has never spoken of. And to support his stand, he uses rumours that have no truth.
These traits of a hypocrite that are mentioned in the Hadith are an extremely serious matter. One who cultivates any of these characteristics will find a weak personality developing within him. A further loss of such a person is that he will be deprived of the divine company of angels. He will not be a recipient of divine inspirations. He will not receive any spiritual nourishment. He will be deprived of a relationship with God. Such a person’s intellectual development will come to a standstill. He will be denied the blessing of purification. The light of faith will fail to reach him.
One who cultivates any of the characteristics of a hypocrite will find a weak personality developing within him.
A weak personality will always be under the influence of Satan. On the other hand a strong personality will continue to have divine experiences as mentioned in the Quran: 'As for those who affirm, Our Lord is God, and then remain steadfast, the angels will descend on them, saying, ‘Have no fear and do not grieve. Rejoice in the [good news of the] Garden that you have been promised. (41: 30)
Patience means to think by rising above
complaints. Patience is not cowardice or
defeat. When you have an unpleasant
experience with someone and become
negative, this means you did not keep
patience. If you ignore what hurts you,
you raise your level. So, patience means
to raise your intellectual level. Patience
is not passivity. It is another name for
high thinking.