Characteristics of The Hypocrites And Rulings Concerning Them

Zayd ibn Arqam reported: We set out with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey during which the people suffered hardship. ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy said to his companions, ‘Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they disperse from around him.’ Zuhayr said: This is the recitation of whoever reads *min ḥawlihi* (‘from around him’). He also said, ‘When we return to Madinah, the mightier will surely expel the more humble from it.’ I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and told him about this. He sent for ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy and questioned him, but he swore emphatically that he had not said it. He said, ‘Zayd has lied to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).’ I was deeply distressed by what they said until Allah revealed what confirmed me: ‘When the hypocrites come to you…’ The Prophet (ﷺ) then called them so that he might ask Allah to forgive them, but they turned their heads away. Regarding the words, ‘as if they were propped-up wooden beams,’ he said that they were men of striking appearance.

Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri reported that, during the Messenger of Allah’s lifetime, some hypocrites would stay behind when the Prophet (ﷺ) set out on a military expedition. They rejoiced at remaining behind in opposition to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). When the Prophet returned, they made excuses to him and swore oaths, wishing to be praised for what they had not done. Then this verse was revealed: “Do not think that those who rejoice in what they have done and love to be praised for what they have not done are safe from the punishment…”

Humaid ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf reported that Marwan said, ‘Rafi‘—his doorkeeper—go to Ibn ‘Abbas and tell him: If every person among us were punished for rejoicing in what he has done and loving to be praised for what he has not done, then we would all be punished.’ Ibn ‘Abbas said, ‘What business do you have with this verse? It was revealed concerning the People of the Book.’ Ibn ‘Abbas then recited: “When Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], ‘You must make it clear to the people and not conceal it…’” He also recited: “Do not think that those who rejoice in what they have done and love to be praised for what they have not done…” Ibn ‘Abbas explained: The Prophet (ﷺ) asked them about something, but they concealed it from him and told him something else. They then left, making him believe they had told him what he had asked about, and they sought praise from him for that, rejoicing in having concealed from him what he had asked them.

Anas ibn Malik reported: There was a man among us from the Banu Najjar who had learned Surat al-Baqarah and Surat Al ‘Imran and used to write for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He fled and joined the People of the Book. They welcomed him and said, ‘This man used to write for Muhammad.’ Before long, Allah caused him to die among them. They dug a grave and buried him, but by morning the earth had cast him out onto its surface. They dug another grave and buried him, but by morning the earth had cast him out again. They dug a third grave and buried him, but by morning the earth had cast him out once more. So they left him lying there.

Jabir reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) returned from a journey. When he was near Madinah, a violent wind arose, almost burying a rider. The narrator said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘This wind was sent because of the death of a hypocrite.’ When he reached Madinah, a prominent hypocrite had died.

Iyas reported from his father: We visited a man with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) while he was suffering from a fever. I placed my hand on him and said, ‘By Allah, I have never seen anyone as feverish as he is today.’ The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘Shall I tell you of two men who will suffer a fiercer heat than this on the Day of Resurrection?’ He meant two men who were then among his Companions, riding away with their backs turned.