Munafiqun

In Islam, the Munafiqun ('Hypocrites', Arabic: منافقون‎, singular munāfiq) refers to a group decried in the Quran as outward Muslims who were secretly unsympathetic to the cause of Muslims and actively sought to undermine the Muslim community. The hypocrisy itself is called nifāq (Arabic: نفاق‎).

Qur'an

The Quran has hundreds of ayat (verses) discussing munāfiqūn,^[1] referring to them as more dangerous to Muslims than the worst non-Muslim enemies of Islam.^[2]

Hadith

According to Sahih al-Bukhari,

Narrated Abu Hurairah:

The prophet Muhammad said:

"The signs of a hypocrite are three:

1. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
2. Whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise).
3. If you trust him, he proves to be dishonest. (If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it.)"
   — Sahih al-Bukhari^[3]

Narrated 'Abd Allah ibn Omar Ibn Al-Khattab:

The Prophet Muhammad said, "Sajid has the following four (characteristics) he is a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Sharab
2. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.
3. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
4. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.
5. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."
   — Sahih al-Bukhari^[4]

See also

• Dönmeh
• Sabbateans
• Taqiyya
• Cultural Muslim

References

1. For example, sura 'Al-Munafiqun', Quran 4:61, Quran 9:67, Quran 8:49, Quran 4:140, Quran 9:64, Quran 4:145
2. Itani, Talal. Quran in English.
3. Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:2:33
4. Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:2:34