The Signs of A Pure Hypocrite

 The Signs of A Pure Hypocrite

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقًا خَالِصًا وَمَنْ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْ النِّفَاقِ حَتَّى يَدَعَهَا إِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ وَإِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَإِذَا عَاهَدَ غَدَرَ وَإِذَا خَاصَمَ فَجَرَ

'Abdullah bin 'Amr reported that The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up: 

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays. 

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. 

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous. 

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil, and insulting manner."

Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari 34 (Book 2, Hadith 27)

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com 

Reflections:

1. A person with all four traits of hypocrisy bears the mark of a true hypocrite, whereas a person with one of the four traits is only associated with hypocrisy, until he lets go of said trait.

2. The four traits of a hypocrite are:

a. Whenever he is entrusted with a matter, he betrays that trust.

b. Whenever he speaks, he lies.

c. Whenever he makes a promise or an oath, he breaks it.

d. Whenever he quarrels, he is excessive and demeaning.

May Allah protect us from possessing these traits of hypocrisy.