Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, “There are three signs of a hypocrite.” Muslim added, “Even if he fasts, prays, and asserts that he is a Muslim.” Thereafter both Bukhari and Muslim said, “When he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is trusted he betrays his trust.”
The Essence of Hypocrisy
This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, as recorded in Mishkat al-Masabih 55, identifies the core behavioral traits that expose the disease of hypocrisy (nifaq) in the heart, even if a person outwardly performs acts of worship.
Scholarly Commentary on the Three Signs
When he speaks, he lies: The scholars explain that this refers to a habitual pattern of falsehood in speech, not a single, regretted instance. It indicates a soul that has no reverence for truth and uses speech to deceive others for worldly gain or to create corruption.
When he makes a promise, he breaks it: Breaking promises demonstrates a lack of integrity and a weak sense of responsibility before Allah and His creation. It erodes the trust that binds the Muslim community together and shows contempt for the rights of others.
When he is trusted, he betrays his trust: This is the ultimate breach of faith. Amanah (trust) is a foundational pillar of Islamic society. Betraying a trust placed in one—whether property, secrets, or responsibilities—reveals a profound spiritual sickness and a disconnect between one's outward claims and inner reality.
The Grave Warning
The Prophet's clarification that these signs apply "even if he fasts, prays, and asserts that he is a Muslim" serves as a severe warning. It teaches that righteous actions, while essential, are invalidated by these corrupting character traits. This is the hypocrisy of action, distinct from the greater hypocrisy of disbelief. A person with these traits resides in a dangerous state, possessing the outer form of Islam but lacking its true spirit, which is built on truthfulness, fidelity, and trustworthiness.
The Path to Rectification
The scholars of Islam advise that the cure for these traits is sincere repentance and a conscious, diligent effort to adopt their opposites: to be scrupulously truthful in speech, meticulous in fulfilling promises, and unwavering in upholding trusts. One must constantly guard the tongue and actions, seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of one's own soul.