Nifaq (Hypocrisy): Definition and Types

Definition:
Linguistically, Nifaq is derived from the hole of raters or mice that is, articles holes in the grounds, when that animal is chased from one hole he would exit from another one, or it means a tunnel or a subterranean excavation used for hiding.

In the Sharee'ah: Nifaq (hypocrisy) means a pretense of loving Islam while concealing Kufr and evil. A hypocrite is given this appellation because he enters the religion from one door and exits from another.

Hence, Allah, the Exalted, cautioned against hypocrites saying:

“Verily, hypocrites are the rebellious.” (Soorah at-Tawbah Chapter 9 verse 67)

 And Allah, the Exalted, says:

“The hypocrites (think) that they deceive Allah when in fact it is Allah who deceives them.” ( Soorah an-Nisa Chapter 4 verse 142)

 Types of Hypocrisy:

Hypocrisy is of two types:

The first type: Doctrinal hypocrisy which is major hypocrisy; the one who upholds it displays Islam and conceals infidelity.

This type constitutes absolute apostasy, and condemns those who uphold it to the lowest level of Hell-Fire.

Allah  has described its people as possessing evil characteristics; such as Kufr, lack of Eemaan, derision of faith and its people and inclining entirely to the enemies of Islam for sharing their hostility. Such people exist in every age, particularly when Islam prevails and they cannot resist it publicly, therefore they pretend to be Muslims in order to plot against it and its people privately. And because they live with the Muslims, they ensure the safety of their blood and properties.

A hypocrite displays his belief in Allah  and His Angels and His Books and His Messengers and the Final Day, while in fact, he is far from believing in all that, rather the denies all that and does not believe in Allah.

Allah has uttered a speech which He revealed to a human and made him a messenger to mankind to guide them with His permission, threaten them, and warn them against His punishment. Allah has revealed those hypocrites and exposed their secrets in the Qur'aan and unveiled to His slaves the conditions of the hypocrites in order to be cautious against them.

In the beginning of Soorah al-Baqarah, Allah, the Exalted, classifies mankind into three categories;

1. the believers, 
2. the infidels and 
3. the hypocrites. 

He revealed four verses with respect to the believers and two verses with respect to the infidels while he revealed thirteen verses with respect to the hypocrites due to their large number and severity of
their affliction and commonness of their deception, and severity of their hostility against Islam and its people. For the affliction Islam suffers through them is intensive because they are counted as Muslims and supporters of Islam, while in fact they are it enemies. They express their enmity to Islam in every form which the ignorant thinks of it as knowledge and reform, while in fact it is utter ignorance and corruption.


Doctrinal hypocrisy is of six kinds:
1. Denying the Messenger (pbuh).
2. Denying part of what the Messenger (pbuh) was sent with.
3. Hating the Messenger (pbuh).
4. Hating some of what the Messenger (pbuh) was sent with.
5. Rejoicing over the decline of the deen of the Messenger (pbuh).
6. Resenting the prevalence of the deen of the Prophet (pbuh)

The second type: Practical hypocrisy; (that is) possessing a trait of the hypocrites while retaining Eemaan in the heart. This does not constitute apostasy, but it is considered as a means to it. A person who upholds it combines both, Eemaan and hypocrisy. When the latter prevails, he becomes a sheer hypocrite.
The proof of this is the statement of the Prophet (pbuh):

“Four traits, whoever possesses them is a sheer hypocrite. And whoever possesses one of them would possess a trait of hypocrisy until he relinquishes it. When he is entrusted, he betrays trust, and when he speaks, he lies, when he enters into a treaty, he behaves treacherously, and when he disputes with others, he behaves immorally.” (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim).

 A person who combines these four traits, has indeed combined all evil and all the traits of hypocrisy. But he who has one of them, he possesses a trait of hypocrisy. A person may possess traits of both goodness and evil, as well as Eemaan, Kufr and hypocrisy, he would deserve rewards and punishment in accordance with the traits which necessitates wither of them, such as being lazy to attend congregational prayer in the Masjid, for this is a hypocrite's behavior. Hypocrisy is evil and very dangerous of which the Companions were scared.

The Differences between Major and Minor Hypocrisy:
1. Major hypocrisy constitutes apostasy, while minor hypocrisy does not.
2. Major hypocrisy signifies dissimilarity between the inner and outer beliefs, while minor hypocrisy signifies dissimilarity between public and private actions, not beliefs.
3. Major hypocrisy does not belong to a believers, while minor hypocrisy may belong to a believer.
4. A person who upholds major hypocrisy does not usually repent, but even if he does so,
scholars are at variance with regards to accepting his repentance by a judge. Whereas minor hypocrisy when one upholds it and repents to Allah , Allah will accept his repentance.