THE ACCOUNTS OF THE DAY OF RESURRECTION -No:34- Miserable State of the Hypocrite

[Photo Illustration]

In Islam, a hypocrite (munafiq) is someone who outwardly professes to be a believer but inwardly conceals disbelief. The Quran and Hadith describe several characteristics and behaviors associated with hypocrisy. 

Key aspects associated with hypocrisy include:

• Deceit and Falsehood: Hypocrites are characterized by their dishonesty and attempts to deceive both believers and Allah.
• Breaking Promises: When a hypocrite makes a promise, they often break it.
• Lying: Lying is considered a hallmark of hypocrisy.
• Betrayal of Trust: Hypocrites are known for betraying trusts placed in them.
• Outward Conformity, Inward Rejection: They may perform religious rituals and acts in public but lack sincerity and true faith in their hearts.
• Spreading Mischief: Hypocrites are sometimes described as those who cause corruption and mischief on Earth while claiming to be reformers.
• Mocking Believers: They may inwardly mock or ridicule those who are true believers. 

These characteristics highlight the difference between outward appearance and inner reality that defines hypocrisy from an Islamic viewpoint. Understanding these traits provides insight into the concept of hypocrisy as discussed in Islamic texts.

In Islam, the punishment for major hypocrisy (disbelief concealed by an outward display of faith) on the Day of Resurrection will be severe, with hypocrites consigned to the lowest depths of Hellfire (Jahannam). They will face a painful and everlasting torment, with no helper or intercessor to save them, unless they sincerely repent and dedicate their ways during their lifetime.

Specific punishments and conditions described in the Quran and Hadith (sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad) include:

Lowest Level of Hell: The Quran explicitly states: "Surely the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire; no helper will you find for them" (Quran 4:145).

Public Exposure and Disgrace: Their true intentions and deeds, which were hidden in the world, will be publicly exposed on the Day of Judgment.

Physical Manifestations:

Those who were two-faced in the world will be given two tongues of fire on the Day of Resurrection.

Hypocrites will be unable to prostrate to Allah on that Day; their backs will become stiff as a single bone.

A man who used to enjoin good but did not practice it himself will be cast into Hellfire, his intestines pouring forth, going around them like a donkey around a millstone.

Deprivation of Light: While believers will have their light, the hypocrites will be deprived of it and a wall with a door will be placed between them, with mercy on the inside and torment on the outside.

No Forgiveness: Allah has stated that even if the Prophet Muhammad had asked for their forgiveness seventy times, Allah would not forgive them, because they rejected Allah and His messenger.

For those with minor hypocrisy (possessing some characteristics of hypocrites, such as lying or breaking promises, but remaining believers at heart), the sins are serious offenses that may lead to temporal punishment, but a sincere Muslim might be forgiven or, after a period in Hell, eventually enter Heaven.

When the Muslims will have arrived on the bridge of Heaven, the ‘hypocrites who will be enveloped in dark: ess will call out in piteous voices. ‘‘Brothers, stay a whiie so that guided by your light we may also step forward.” The Muslims will say to them in reply :

““Go back and get your light from where we got it.” Hence when the hypocrites will turn back they shall find themselves in the depths of darkness and _ stillness.

At last they shall come back much disturbed and feeling very uneasy. They shall behold that a great wall has been erected on the edge of the Bridge of Heaven and the entrance has been barred. Hence they will cry out bitterly to the Muslims : ‘‘Were we not your companions in the moral world? So why do you leave us behind now?”’ They will reply, “You were with us, no doubt, but only superficially. In your hearts you harboured doubts about the faith and while wishing well to the infidels you wanted to do harm to us. Hence it is proper that you should go and join those whom you used to support and befriend.” In the meanwhile the flames of fire will envelop them and drive them to the lowest depths of Hell. Those Muslims who will pass over the Bridge of Heaven with the speed of air or lightning they will say after crossing over to the Paradise : ‘‘We had heard that Hell lies on the way to Heaven, but we never beheld Hell.”’ And those who shall cross over the Bridge in perfect safety will also join them in the Plain of Paradise. Those who harboured any grudge against one another will be joined in amity.