The believer speaks little and does alot, whereas the hypocrite (munâfiq) speaks a lot and does little. When the believer speaks, it is with wisdom, when he is silent, it is in deep thought, when he sees, he takes lessons, and when he acts, it is a cure. If this is the way you are, then you are in the constant worship [of your Lord.]

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyâ` 8:98.

More:

1. Righteous Fear vs. Sinful Delusion
2. Something a Believer can’t do
3. The Three Men and the Valley [example of the munafiq]
4. Secret Devotion
5. The Complete Man

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

The believer does the best deeds yet is most fearful [that his deeds will not be accepted]. If he were to spend a mountain of wealth [in charity], he would not feel sure [of the reward] until he sees it. The more righteous and pious he becomes, the more he fears. But the hypocrite (munâfiq) says, ‘There are so many people, I will be forgiven, no problem.’ So he does wrong and evil deeds, yet holds foolish wishes about Allâh.

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` 4:586.

More:

1. A Treatment for Egotism
2. An Insult with a Gift [Backbiting]
3. Faith is not just in the heart [definition of Iman]
4. Who to Love and Trust, Hate and Suspect [signs of sincerity]
5. Hardship and prosperity, obedience and sin

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

The example of the believer, the unbeliever and the hypocrite is that of three people who arrived at a valley. One of them descended and passed through to the other side. One of them descended until he reached half way, when the third man on the edge of the valley called to him, “Woe to you, where are you going? You will die. Come back.” The man who made it to the other side called to him, “Come and be saved.” So [the man in the middle of the valley] kept looking back and forth at the two [on each side of the valley], when a flood came into the valley and drowned him. The man who passed through to the other side is the believer; the one who drowned is the munâfiq (hypocrite) –

[The Hypocrites] sway between this and that, neither [fully] with the believers nor with the unbelievers.

Quran 4:143

And the one who remained at the edge of the valley [not  able to escape the flood and pass] is the kâfir (unbeliever).

Ibn Abî Hâtim, Al-Tafsîr article 6144.

More:

1. Who to Love and Trust, Hate and Suspect [signs of sincerity]
2. Dead Hearts and Empty Supplications
3. Won’t you collect your Share?
4. Save yourselves and your families
5. True Repentance

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

Verily you are in greatly troubled times. Only one with true insight knows the times you live in. Verily you are in a time of [people] boasting and being proud. ^[1] Their tongues are swollen in their mouths, and they seek worldly gain through the deeds of the hereafter. So be warned against them for yourselves, lest they catch you in their nets. O scholar, you are a scholar yet you devour [wealth] with your knowledge. O scholar, you are a scholar yet you boast with your knowledge. O scholar, you are a scholar yet you seek to amass [wealth] with your knowledge. O scholar, you are a scholar yet you transgress [against others] with your knowledge. If you had truly sought this knowledge for Allâh, it would have been seen on you and in your deeds.

[1] The word in some reports is tafâkhur (boasting and being proud) but in some other versions, other somewhat ambiguous words are found in its place.

Abû Bakr Al-Âjurrî, Kitâb Al-’Âlim Al-Jâhil article 73 et al. Graded sahîh by Shaykh Yahyâ Al-Hajûrî in his edition of the book.

More:

1. Food for Thought, not for Stomachs
2. Why so Many Hadîth, Abu Hurayrah?
3. Ignorance and the Sword
4. The Disease of this Ummah and its Doctor
5. The Fabler-Preachers (Storytellers)

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

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.

More:

1. Heresy and Hypocrisy [the company you keep]
2. Isn’t this that time?
3. Love and Praise for the Companions
4. Be with the Carriers of Books
5. Opinionated Enemies of the Sunnah

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi