Hypocrisy (Nifaq)

:Muhammad Mahdi al-Naraqi

2013/05/26

1067

Hypocrisy, that is feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not, in religion or in social relations, is one of the most destructive vices. Throughout the Holy Quran, hypocrites are condemned in the strongest of terms. Also, there are many traditions in condemnation of this vice.

The opposite of hypocrisy is being the same in one's external appearance and inward self, or preferably, being better inwardly than what one appears to be. This latter trait is a characteristic of the mu'minun (true believers) and those who are close to God (awliya' Allah).

Adapted from: "Jami' al-Sa'adat" by: "Muhammad Mahdi al-Naraqi"