Sayings of the Salaf » hypocrisy

Guilty by Association

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:33:24 +0000

It is reported that Imâm Al-Awzâ’î – Allâh have mercy on him – used to say:

Whoever hides his heresy (bid’ah) from us, his companionship is not hidden from us.

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ article 420.

It is reported that when Sufyân Al-Thawrî – Allâh have mercy on him – came to Basrah he started to look into the matter of Al-Rabî’ – i.e. Ibn Sabîh
⁽¹⁾ – and his status amongst the people. [Sufyân] asked, “What does he believe?” [People] replied, “He believes in nothing but the Sunnah.” He asked, “Who are his companions?” They replied, “The People of Qadr (those who denied Allâh’s pre-decree).” He said, “Then he is a Qadarî (like them).”

Ibid. article 421.

⁽¹⁾Al-Rabî’ b. Sabîh is described in biographies as being a truthful reporter, but with a bad memory; a devout worshipper and a mujâhid.

It is reported that Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd – Allâh have mercy on him – said:

The souls [of people] are in groups gathered together: those of them that identify with each other come together, and those that are different diverge. It is not possible for an adherent of the Sunnah to incline towards an adherent of Bid’ah except out of hypocrisy (nifâq).

Ibid. article 429.

Who to Love and Trust, Hate and Suspect [signs of sincerity]

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:07:01 +0000

It is reported that ‘Umar b. Al-Khattâb – Allâh be pleased with him – said:

We were once in a time when we did not think anyone learned the Quran seeking anything but Allâh the Exalted, but now I fear there are men who learn it and intend the people and what they can get from them. So seek Allâh with your recitation and deeds. For verily, we used to know you when Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – was amongst us, when revelation would descend and Allâh would tell us about you. As for today, Allâh’s Messenger – peace and blessings be upon him – has passed on, and the revelations has stopped; and I only know you as I say: whoever shows what is good, we love him for it and think good of him, and whoever shows what is evil, we hate him for it and suspect him. Your secret and private matters are between you and your Lord the Mighty and Majestic.

Al-Âjurrî, Akhlâq Hamalat Al-Qur`ân article 26.

Heresy and Hypocrisy [the company you keep]

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:50:12 +0000

It is reported that Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd – Allâh have mercy on him – said:

Verily, Allâh has angels who seek out the circles of remembrance [of Allâh], so be careful who you sit with; make sure it is not with an adherent of bid’ah, for Allâh does not look at them. And the sign of nifâq (hypocrisy in faith) is that a man mingles with an adherent of bid’ah.

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ 1:460

A False testimony of Faith [hypocrisy and the shahadah]

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:37:36 +0000

The likeness [of the munâfiq] is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allâh took away their light and left them in darkness. So they could not see. They are deaf, dumb and blind, so they return not [to the Right Path]. (Quran 2:17)

Qatâdah – Allâh’s mercy be upon him – said:

This is the likeness Allâh has given of the Hypocrite (munâfiq); he says lâ ilâha illallâh and with it marries into the Muslims, inherits from the Muslims, fights alongside the Muslims, and protects his blood and wealth. But when death comes, [the testimony of faith] has no basis in his heart, and no reality in his actions, so the munâfiq is stripped of it at death and left in darkness and blindness wondering therein, just as he was blind about the right of Allâh and obedience to Him in his worldly life and deaf to the truth.

Al-Tabarî, Al-Tafsîr.

The Many Pretenders of Faith [Munafiqun]

Abû ‘Abdillâh Owais Al-Hâshimi — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:36:59 +0000

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrî – Allâh have mercy on him – used to say, “If it were not for the munâfiqûn, you would feel all alone in the streets (the streets would be empty).”

It is also reported that Al-Sha’bî – Allâh have mercy on him – said the same thing, “If it were not for the munâfiqûn, you would feel all alone in the streets (the streets would be empty).”

It is reported that Mâlik b. Dînâr – Allâh’s mercy be upon him – said, “I swear, if the munâfiqûn started growing tails, the believers wouldn’t find a spot of ground to walk on.”

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ articles 936-938.