Nifāq

التعريف

Major hypocrisy (i‘tiqādī): outwardly Muslim, inwardly disbelieving — exits Islam and places its possessor in the lowest depths of the Fire. Minor hypocrisy (‘amalī): the four signs in the hadith — lying when speaking, breaking promises, betraying trust, and sinning when arguing.

النطق: ni-FĀQ

الاشتقاق والجذر

From نَفَق (nafaq) — the burrow of a desert mouse with two openings, allowing it to enter from one and escape from the other. The munāfiq presents one face outwardly and conceals another inwardly.

الاستخدام في القرآن

Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn (63) is dedicated to exposing them; Sūrat at-Tawbah is also called 'al-Fāḍiḥah' (the exposer) for unmasking the hypocrites of Madīnah.

الاستخدام في السنة

'There are four signs — whoever has them is a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has a trait of hypocrisy until he abandons it: when entrusted he betrays, when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks it, and when he disputes he transgresses.' (Bukhārī 34, Muslim 58)

ملاحظات علمية

Ibn Rajab's commentary on this hadith explains how minor nifāq, if accumulated, may lead one into major nifāq — and so the Companions feared even minor hypocrisy in themselves.

التطبيق العملي

Audit yourself against the four signs. Speak truth, keep promises, honour trusts, and be just even when you dispute — these protect the heart from creeping nifāq.

المزيد من Aqeedah Terms