Compiled by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha ḥafiẓahullāh
Is hypocrisy inspired by Shayṭān?
Allah ﷻ states:
﴿وَإِذَا لَقُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا إِلَىٰ شَيَاطِينِهِمْ قَالُوا إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِئُونَ﴾
“And when they meet those who believe, they say, ‘We have believed.’ But when they are alone with their devils, they say, ‘Indeed, we are with you; we were only mocking.’”
(Al-Baqarah: 14)
This verse clearly refers to the behavior of the hypocrites (munāfiqīn). When they meet the believers, they falsely present themselves as faithful. However, when they return to their “shayāṭīn” (devilish allies)—who include:
✔ Influential leaders of disbelief
✔ Jewish scholars opposing Islam
✔ Idolaters and the champions of hypocrisy
✔ Shayāṭīn from among humans and jinn alike
—they confess their true allegiance and declare mockingly that their expression of belief was merely a deception and ridicule.
Allah ﷻ says further:
﴿اللَّهُ يَسْتَهْزِئُ بِهِمْ وَيَمُدُّهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ﴾
“Allah mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression while they wander blindly.”
(Al-Baqarah: 15)
Imām Ibn Jarīr رحمه الله explains:
This verse signifies that on the Day of Judgment, Allah will mock such hypocrites in return for their mockery and deception in this world.
❖ Hypocrisy is a severe and destructive ailment.
It erases all traces of true faith from the heart.
A person afflicted by hypocrisy:
➤ Exhibits sincerity outwardly, while harboring deceit inwardly
➤ Pretends to fulfill promises, but actually betrays
➤ Acts trustworthy externally, but is treacherous within
➤ Poses as loyal, while hiding disloyalty in his heart
This double-faced behavior is the hallmark of a munāfiq (hypocrite), which is why the punishment for hypocrisy is so grave.
Allah ﷻ declares:
﴿إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا﴾
“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire – and never will you find for them a helper.”
(An-Nisā’: 145)
✔ Hypocrisy is not merely a psychological or social issue; it is a spiritual ailment rooted in the whispers and influence of Shayṭān.
✔ Hypocrites associate with shayāṭīn—whether from humans or jinn—and take pride in mocking the believers.
✔ Their outward show of faith is a deception that earns them the severest punishment in Hell.
✔ True believers must remain sincere, honest, and cautious of any behavior or influence that resembles hypocrisy.
❖ Question:
Is hypocrisy inspired by Shayṭān?
❖ Answer:
Allah ﷻ states:
﴿وَإِذَا لَقُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا إِلَىٰ شَيَاطِينِهِمْ قَالُوا إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِئُونَ﴾
“And when they meet those who believe, they say, ‘We have believed.’ But when they are alone with their devils, they say, ‘Indeed, we are with you; we were only mocking.’”
(Al-Baqarah: 14)
❖ Explanation:
This verse clearly refers to the behavior of the hypocrites (munāfiqīn). When they meet the believers, they falsely present themselves as faithful. However, when they return to their “shayāṭīn” (devilish allies)—who include:
✔ Influential leaders of disbelief
✔ Jewish scholars opposing Islam
✔ Idolaters and the champions of hypocrisy
✔ Shayāṭīn from among humans and jinn alike
—they confess their true allegiance and declare mockingly that their expression of belief was merely a deception and ridicule.
Allah ﷻ says further:
﴿اللَّهُ يَسْتَهْزِئُ بِهِمْ وَيَمُدُّهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ﴾
“Allah mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression while they wander blindly.”
(Al-Baqarah: 15)
Imām Ibn Jarīr رحمه الله explains:
This verse signifies that on the Day of Judgment, Allah will mock such hypocrites in return for their mockery and deception in this world.
❖ The Disease of Hypocrisy
❖ Hypocrisy is a severe and destructive ailment.
It erases all traces of true faith from the heart.
A person afflicted by hypocrisy:
➤ Exhibits sincerity outwardly, while harboring deceit inwardly
➤ Pretends to fulfill promises, but actually betrays
➤ Acts trustworthy externally, but is treacherous within
➤ Poses as loyal, while hiding disloyalty in his heart
This double-faced behavior is the hallmark of a munāfiq (hypocrite), which is why the punishment for hypocrisy is so grave.
Allah ﷻ declares:
﴿إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا﴾
“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire – and never will you find for them a helper.”
(An-Nisā’: 145)
❖ Summary:
✔ Hypocrisy is not merely a psychological or social issue; it is a spiritual ailment rooted in the whispers and influence of Shayṭān.
✔ Hypocrites associate with shayāṭīn—whether from humans or jinn—and take pride in mocking the believers.
✔ Their outward show of faith is a deception that earns them the severest punishment in Hell.
✔ True believers must remain sincere, honest, and cautious of any behavior or influence that resembles hypocrisy.
