Warning Against Hypocrisy (5/6)

The repentance of a hypocrite

If a hypocrite repents from hypocrisy before his death and he corrects his deed, and he resort to Allah and become sincere to Him (the great and the exalted) in Religion, then his repentance is authentic and accepted. Allah (the Exalted) said:

Meaning: "indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth of the Fire - and never will you find for them a helper (145).

Except for those who repent, correct themselves, hold fast to Allah, and are sincere in their Religion for Allah, for those will be with the believers. Allah is going to give the believers a great reward (146).

What would Allah do with [i.e, gain from] your punishment if you are grateful and believe? And ever is Allah Appreciative and knowing.” (147). [Surah An-Nisa’, 4: 145-147]

Likewise, the Muslim in whom is an attitude of hypocrisy, if he repents from it and forsakes that attitude Allah will forgive him, and he will become free from hypocrisy.

There is in regards to this issue a funny riddle forwarded by Huzafa ibn Yaman (may Allah be pleased with them) to the students of Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), for he stood over them in the presence of Abdullah bin Mas'ud, saluted them and said: verily, hypocrisy has been revealed on some people that were more pious than you, Abdullah bin Mas'ud – on hearing that - smiled because he got what he meant. The companions of ibn Mas'ud then said; glory be to Allah!! Allah has indeed said:

Meaning: "Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth of the Fire.” [Surah An-Nisa’, 4: 145]

Then, after the dispersal of the council, Huzaifa said to Aswad bin Yazid Annakha'i - one of the companions of Ibn Mas'ud: verily, hypocrisy has been revealed on some people that were more pious than you and they repented and Allah accepts their repentance.

In another narration, he said: And they, when they repented became better than you.

And he mean by them, some of those whom were hypocrites during the time of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and then repented, corrected (their deeds) and perfected their Islam. Thus, they became better than those who came after them from the Tabiu'n, because of their companionship [with the Prophet (Peace be upon him)] and their jihad with him. (This narration has been transmitted by Albukhari in his Sahih).

It is necessary for the believers to practice what will save them from hypocritical attitudes and the acts of hypocrites. Among that is the repetition of repentance and seeking for [Allah's] forgiveness, and being cautious of the limits of Allah and glorifying His commands and disassociation from polytheism and its companions, observing prayers, giving out charities, sincerity to Allah, His Messenger, His Book and to the leaders and the general Muslims.

And among that is love for jihad in the cause of Allah and expressing desire for that.

Among that also is enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong and advising each other on truth, and advising each other on patience and encouraging one another on feeding the poor and disbursement for the sake of Allah faithfully and hoping to attain Allah's rewards.

For whoever does that is saved from hypocrisy

It is transmitted in Almusnad and other hadith books from the narration of Umar bin Alkhattab (may Allah be pleased with him) he said; that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) has indeed, said:

Meaning: "whoever is pleased with his good deed and sad with his bad deed is a believer.”

Thus, whoever falls into sin and his sin grieved him that is an example of good faith in him and a hope for his repentance, seeking of forgiveness and conciliation. And whoever is pleased with his sin, and is gladden by his evil deed, that is a sign of hypocrisy in his heart.

It is reported in the [book of] Sunan of Attirmidhy on the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) he said; the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

Meaning: "Two characters can never be joined together in the heart of a hypocrite, good will and understanding in Religion.” [Authenticate by Albany]

(Continued)