Translation: Aboo Aamir Ishaaq bn AbdirRaheem
One of the Salaf (rahimahullahu) once enjoined Umar bn Abdul-Azîz by (rahimahullahu) saying to him:
‘O Umar, be wary of being Allâh's ally in the open but his enemy in secret, for he whose secret does not parallel his open is a hypocrite and the hypocrites are in the deepest part of the hell.
One of them (rahimahullahu) has said:
‘Be wary of hypocrites manner of showing piety.' It was said: How is that? He said: 'That the body is shown as being pious while the heart is not.’
So ask your soul, is your secret the same as your open or not? Be plentiful in seeking forgiveness, and know that whoever shows to the people what is more than what is in his heart is a hypocrite.
And from the signs of the hypocrites is their lazy attitude towards the Salât and their little remembrance of Allâh therein.
Just as Allâh the Great has said:
“Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allâh tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also) tests those who are As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.)?†[Al-Imrân: 142].
And from their signs is their enjoining evils and forbidding from goodness, just as Allâh the Great has said:
“The hypocrites, men and women, are from one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief and polytheism of all kinds and all that Islâm has forbidden), and forbid (people) from Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and they close their hands [from giving (spending in Allâh's Cause) alms, etc.]. They have forgotten Allâh, so He has forgotten them. Verily, the hypocrites are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).†[At-Taubah: 67].
And from their signs is that they take the Kuffâr as allies, just as Allâh the Great has said:
“Give to the hypocrites the tidings that there is for them a painful torment. Those who take disbelievers for Auliyâ' (protectors or helpers or friends) instead of believers, do they seek honour, power and glory with them? Verily, then to Allâh belongs all honour, power and glory.†[Nisâ: 138-139].
And from their signs is that they are not pleased with Allâh’s Judgement, just as He the Great said:
“And when it is said to them: "Come to what Allâh has sent down and to the Messenger (Muhammad)," you (Muhammad) see the hypocrites turn away from you (Muhammad) with aversion.†[Nisâ: 61].
And from their signs is their act of telling lies, treachery, deception and transgressions in quarrels, just as the Prophet (sallallâhu alayhi wa sallam ) has said:
"أربع من كن Ùيه كان مناÙقا خالصا ومن كان Ùيه خصلة منهن كانت Ùيه خصلة النÙاق Øتى يدعها إذا ائتمن خان وإذا Øدث كذب وإذا عاهد غدر وإذا خاصم Ùجر"
‘Four (traits), whoever finds himself in them is a complete hypocrite, and whoever finds himself in one of them has a trait of hypocrisy in him until he leaves it; that when he speaks he tells lies, and when he makes a promise he breaks it, when he makes a pledge he breaches it, and when he quarrels he transgresses.'
Source: Min Akhaaq Assalaf of Ahmad Fareed.
