Munafiq

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Part of a series on Islam & Iman

Individuals
Muslim — practices Islam Mu'min — believer Fasiq — open sinner Fajir — wicked evil doer Munafiq — hypocrite Kafir — Infidel
Groups
Ahl al-Kitâb Ahl al-Fatrah
Terms
Deen (Arabic term) This box: view • talk • edit

Munāfiq (n., in Arabic: منافق, plural munāfiqūn) is an Islamic Arabic term used to describe a religious hypocrite, who outwardly practices Islam, while inwardly concealing his disbelief (kufr), perhaps even unknowingly.

The term munāfiq in Arabic and Urdu is primarily a non-religious term that refers to a person whose actions are different from and opposite to his thoughts, which he conceals. In the Qur'an sense the term refers to a person who does not have faith, but pretends to. "When the hypocrites come to thee, they say, 'We bear witness that thou art indeed the Apostle of God.' Yea, God knoweth that thou art indeed His Apostle, and God beareth witness that the hypocrites are indeed liars." - (Qur'an 63:1).

The Qur'an has hundreds of ayāt (verses) discussing munāfiqūn, referring to them as more dangerous to Muslims than the worst non-Muslim enemies of Islam. The Qur'an states, "The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire: no helper wilt thou find for them." - (Qur'an 4:145).

According to Sahīh Bukhārī, the Prophet 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."