25 Characteristics of Hypocrites mentioned in the Qur'an | Qualities of Hypocrites

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

Qualities of Hypocrites according to Qur'an

1- Contradiction between the tongue and the heart 

• “And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: We believe in Allah and the Last Day, while in fact they believe not.” (al-Baqarah 2/8)

meaning they “believe not” in their hearts.

2- Deception 

That is showing outwardly obedience of Allah but concealing disobedience in the heart. 

• “They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe.” (al-Baqarah 2/9);
• “Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them.” (An-Nisa 4/142) 

3- Unawareness of the calamity that has befallen them 

• “while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not!” (al-Baqarah 2/9) 

4- Disease of the Heart 

That is disease of doubt, evny and love of Dunya. 

• “In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy).” (al-Baqarah 2/10) 

5- Lying 

• “A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies.” (al-Baqarah 2/10) 

6- Mischief 

• “And when it is said to them: Make not mischief on the earth! They say: We are only peacemakers.” (al-Baqarah 2/11) 

7- Calling the believers "fools" 

• ”And when it is said to them (hypocrites): Believe as the people (followers of Muhammad i.e., al-Ansar and al-Muhajirun) have believed! They say: Shall we believe as the fools have believed?“ (al-Baqarah 2/13) 

8- Ignorance 

• ”Verily, they are the fools, but they know not.“ (al-Baqarah 2/13) 

9- Ridiculing the believers 

That is belittling them making fun of them. 

• ”And when they meet those who believe, they say: We believe. But when they are alone with their Shayatin (devils - polytheists, hypocrites, etc.), they say: Truly, we are with you; verily, we were but mocking.“ (al-Baqarah 2/14) 

10- Preferring Misguidance over Guidance 

• ”These are they who have purchased error for guidance, so their commerce was profitless. And they were not guided.“ (al-Baqarah 2/16)

11- The kindle the fire of Iman then leave it to die out 

Meaning they don’t strive to do righteous deeds to increase their Iman, like someone who lights a fire and don’t give it wood so that it will keep on burning. 

• ”Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness. (So) they could not see.“ (al-Baqarah 2/17) 

12- Eloquence and talking a lot about Dunya 

• ”And of mankind there is he whose speech may please you (O Muhammad), in this worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart.“ (al-Baqarah 2/204);
• ”and when they speak, you listen to their words.“ (al-Munafiqin 63/4) 

13- Quarrelsome 

• ”Yet he is the most quarrelsome of the opponents.“ (al-Baqarah 2/204) 

14- Angry when advised to fear Allah 

• ”And when it is said to him: Fear Allah! He is led by arrogance to (more) crime.“(al-Baqarah 2/206) 

15- Allegiance with the Kuffar 

• ”Give to the hypocrites the tidings that there is for them a painful torment.“; "Those who take disbelievers for Awliya (protectors or helpers or friends) instead of believers.” (an-Nisa 4/138-139);
• “And you see those in whose hearts there is a disease (of hypocrisy), they hurry to their friendship, saying: We fear lest some misfortune of a disaster may befall us.” (al-Ma'idah 5/52) 

16- Laziness in Worship 

• “And when they stand up for as-Salaat (the prayer), they stand with laziness.” (an-Nisa 4/142) 

17- Seeking judgments from the Taghout 

• “Have you seen those (hypocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgment (in their disputes) to the Taghout (false judges, etc.) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaytan (Satan) wishes to lead them far astray.” (an-Nisa 4/60) 

18- Columny and spreading corruption among believers 

• “Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder, and they would have hurried about in your midst (spreading corruption) and sowing sedition among you, and there are some among you who would have listened to them.” (at-Tawbah 9/47)

19- Accusing the people of Haq 

• “And of them are some who accuse you (O Muhammad) in the matter of (the distribution of) the alms. If they are given part thereof, they are pleased, but if they are not given thereof, behold! They are enraged!” (at-Tawbah 9/58) 

20- Enjoining Munkar and forbiding Ma'ruf 

• “The hypocrites, men and women, are from one another, they enjoin (on the people) al-Munkar (i.e., disbelief and polytheism of all kinds and all that Islam has forbidden), and forbid (people) from al-Ma'ruf (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do).” (at-Tawbah 9/67) 

21- Closing their hands from giving 

• “And they close their hands (from giving/spending in Allah’s Cause i.e., alms, etc.). They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them. Verily, the hypocrites are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” (at-Tawbah 9/67) 

22- Betraying and not fulfilling the covenant 

• “And of them are some who made a covenant with Allah (saying): If He bestowed on us of His Bounty, we will verily, give Sadaqah (Zakaat and voluntary charity in Allah’s Cause) and will be certainly among those who are righteous.” (at-Tawbah 9/75);
• “Then when He gave them of His Bounty, they became niggardly (refused to pay the Sadaqah i.e., Zakaat or voluntary charity), and turned away, averse.” (at-Tawbah 9/76) 

23- Belittling the believers in their obedience to Allah 

When one of them spend a lot of wealth, they say he is showing off, and when one of them spend little they say Allah is in no need of it. 

• “Those who defame such of the believers who give charity (in Allah’s Cause) voluntarily, and those who could not find to give charity (in Allah’s Cause) except what is available to them, so they mock at them (believers), Allah will throw back their mockery on them, and they shall have a painful torment.” (at-Tawbah 9/79) 

24- Advise others to forsake Jihaad 

• “Those who stayed away (from Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their staying behind the Messenger of Allah; they hated to strive and fight with their properties and their lives in the Cause of Allah, and they said: March not forth in the heat. Say: The Fire of Hell is more intense in heat! If only they could understand!” (at-Tawbah 9/81) 

25- Harming the believers and claiming to do good 

• “And as for those who put up a mosque by way of harming and disbelief, and to disunite the believers, and as an outpost for those who warred against Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) afore-time, they will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good. Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars.” (at-Tawbah 9/107)