2. Being enthusiastic about performing acts of worship when in

the presence of other people, but being lazy and forgetful when alone.14 Personality of the hypocrites The hypocrites are a special category of people, who are H described by Allah ( ) in the Qur'an. At the beginning of Soorat alBaqarah, Allah describes the believers, the disbelievers, and then the hypocrites. He says: {And of the people are some who say: We believe in Allah and the last day, but they are not believers. They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves, and perceive [it] not. In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease, and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie. And when it is said to them: Do not cause corruption on the earth, they say: We are but reformers. Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not. And when it is said to them: Believe as the people have believed, they say: Should we believe as the foolish have believed? Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not. And when they meet those who believe, they say: We believe; but when they are along with their evil ones, they say: Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers. [But] Allah mocks them and prolongs them in their transgression [while] they wander blindly. Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for 14 al-Jaza'iry, 2001, p. 354. guidance, so their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided.} (Qur'an 2: 8-16) They are also described in Soorat al-MunaÃfiqoon (the Hypocrites), in the following manner: {When the hypocrites come to you, [O Muhammad], they say: We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah. And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are liars. They have taken their oaths as a cover, so they averted [people] from the way of Allah. Indeed, it was evil what they were doing. That is because they believed, and then they disbelieved; so their hearts were sealed over, and they do not understand. And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. [They are] as if they were pieces of wood propped up Ð they think that every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?} (Qur'an 63: 1-4) These verses highlight some of the specific and unique characteristics of the hypocrites. The main characteristic is that they demonstrate belief outwardly while hiding their disbelief. The Arabic term for hypocrisy, nifaÃq, means showing conformity or agreement with something, while concealing incredulity and evil.15 When they meet the believers, they claim that they believe in Allah and the last day, but they are lying, because this is not what they really believe.16 They utter it with their tongues but defy it with their hearts and deeds. Their hearts are diseased with doubt. The hypocrites engage in mischief on the earth, such as H disobeying Allah ( ), abandoning what He has made obligatory, and committing prohibited acts. They also assist the disbelievers 15 Ibn Kathir, 2000, Tafsir ibn Kathir (Abridged), Riyadh: Darussalam, Vol. 1, p. 126. 16 Ibid., p. 126. H against the friends of Allah ( ) by giving the disbelievers their support and loyalty. The main mischief of the hypocrites is that they confuse the believers by their outward appearance and behaviour, thus misleading and deceiving them. This is why their evil is worse 17 than that of the disbelievers, who do not pretend. The main personality characteristics of the hypocrites are lying, | breaking promises, and treachery. Muhammad ( ) said: «The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he proves treacherous.» (recorded by Bukhari and Muslim) Those who have faith may also have some features of hypocrisy. | The Prophet ( ) said: «There are four (qualities), whoever has them is a hypocrite, and whoever has a characteristic of these four possesses a characteristic of hypocrisy until he leaves it: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; when he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous; and when he argues, he behaves in an imprudent and uncouth manner.» (recorded by Bukhari and Muslim) The believers always try to purify their personalities from any form of hypocrisy. 17 Ibid., pp. 132-133. Forces Working on the Heart and Soul T here are forces working upon the heart and soul, and they are generally of four types: 1. Inspiration and guidance that Allah ( H) puts into the hearts of believers,