حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقًا وَإِنْ كَانَتْ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ حَتَّى يَدَعَهَا مَنْ إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ وَإِذَا خَاصَمَ فَجَرَ وَإِذَا عَاهَدَ غَدَرَ " . قَالَ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:
that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: There are four things that whoever has them, then he is a hypocrite, and whoever has one attribute from among them, then he has an attribute of hypocrisy,until he leaves it: Whoever lies whenever he speaks, he does not fulfill whenever he promises, he is vulgar whenever he argues, and whenever he makes an agreement he proves treacherous."
Among the many profound teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the narration reported by ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr (may Allah be pleased with him) in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“There are four traits; whoever possesses them is a hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has a trait of hypocrisy until he leaves it: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; when he argues, he behaves in a vulgar manner; and when he makes an agreement, he proves treacherous.” (al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
This hadith provides a framework for understanding one of the most dangerous moral and spiritual diseases,nifāq (hypocrisy). To appreciate the gravity of these words, it is important to first distinguish between hypocrisy in belief (nifāq iʿtiqādī) and hypocrisy in practice (nifāq ʿamalī).
The Qur’an describes the hypocrites of Madinah as those who outwardly professed Islam while inwardly concealing disbelief. This type of hypocrisy is the most severe, for it expels a person from Islam entirely. Allah warns:
“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire and never will you find for them a helper.” (Qur’an 4:145)
This hypocrisy of belief was embodied by figures like ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites in Madinah, who undermined the Prophet ﷺ while pretending loyalty. Their danger was immense, for they operated from within the Muslim community, sowing discord and weakening unity.
In contrast, the hadith of ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr speaks about hypocrisy of practice, a set of moral failings that resemble the behavior of the hypocrites but do not take one out of Islam. These are traits that, if left unchecked, corrode sincerity, harm relationships, and endanger one’s spiritual standing before Allah.
Imam al-Ghazālī explains that hypocrisy in practice acts like a hidden poison in the heart: it may not kill faith outright, but it weakens its vitality until a person becomes careless with their obligations. Ibn Taymiyyah similarly noted that a Muslim might possess a branch of hypocrisy without being a full-fledged hypocrite, and thus repentance and reform remain open paths.
The Four Traits of Hypocrisy
1. Lying in Speech
The first trait is lying when speaking. Truthfulness is the foundation of trust, and trust is the foundation of community. The Prophet ﷺ once said, “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will continue to speak the truth until he is recorded with Allah as a truthful person. Lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire…” (Muslim).
To lie knowingly is to betray the essence of faith, for faith itself is affirmation of truth. A believer may slip into sins of weakness, but habitual lying is a sign of deeper spiritual corruption. It aligns a person with the very hypocrites who lied to the Prophet ﷺ to cover their disbelief.
2. Breaking Promises
The second trait is breaking promises. Whether promises are legal contracts or simple assurances, Islam considers them a sacred responsibility. The Qur’an commands:
“And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.” (Qur’an 17:34)
Breaking promises erodes trust and destabilizes society. The Prophet ﷺ did not speak of occasional lapses but of a pattern, someone who makes promises lightly and fails to honor them without excuse. For example, encouraging another person to rely on you, whether for financial support, work, or personal matters and then betraying that reliance resembles the conduct of a hypocrite.
3. Vulgarity in Disputes
The third trait manifests in disputes. When anger arises, the hypocrite resorts to foul speech, slander, and injustice. Instead of seeking resolution, they escalate enmity. The Prophet ﷺ highlighted this because conflict is a testing ground for character. The believer remains dignified even in disagreement, remembering Allah’s words:
“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them harshly, they say [words of] peace.” (Qur’an 25:63)
Losing composure and abandoning fairness in arguments is a sign of weak faith, for it reveals that the ego has overtaken the heart.
4. Treachery in Agreements
The final trait is treachery in agreements. Unlike simple promises, these are formal pacts, contracts, or trusts. Breaking them without justification is an act of betrayal. Allah describes the hypocrites of Madinah:
“And of them are those who made a covenant with Allah, [saying], ‘If He should give us from His bounty, we will surely spend in charity and surely be among the righteous.’ But when He gave them from His bounty, they withheld it and turned away, while they refused.” (Qur’an 9:75–76)
To betray an agreement, whether in business, governance, or personal trust, is to emulate the hypocrites who broke their pledges. Such behavior undermines justice and corrodes social bonds.
This hadith is not declaring every sinner a hypocrite. Rather, it identifies traits of hypocrisy that can exist in a believer’s character. If a person possesses all four traits habitually, they resemble the hypocrites in entirety. If they possess one, then they carry that trait until they abandon it.
The Prophet ﷺ’s words are both a warning and a mercy. He did not close the door of repentance; instead, he urged believers to recognize these traits, purify themselves, and reform. The early scholars were cautious not to label individuals as hypocrites. Ibn Hajar al-ʿAsqalānī emphasized that while we may say, “This act is an act of hypocrisy,” ultimate judgment of hearts belongs to Allah alone.
This hadith is a mirror. It asks us not to point fingers but to examine ourselves:
Do I lie when I speak, even in small matters?
Do I take promises lightly, forgetting the weight they carry with Allah?
Do I lose control of my tongue in disputes?
Do I betray agreements and trusts?
The believer strives for harmony between belief, speech, and action. Hypocrisy fractures that harmony. Thus, this narration urges us to rebuild integrity: to be truthful, reliable, dignified, and trustworthy.
Al-Ghazālī reminds us that the greatest danger of hypocrisy is not social shame but spiritual blindness: a hypocrite becomes so accustomed to dishonesty that they can no longer recognize sincerity within themselves. That is why the Prophet ﷺ would often supplicate: “O Allah, purify my heart from hypocrisy, my actions from showing off, my tongue from lying, and my eyes from treachery. Indeed, You know the treachery of the eyes and what the hearts conceal.”
The four traits outlined by the Prophet ﷺ are not mere social vices; they are moral diseases that mirror the behavior of the hypocrites. A believer may falter, but the path of repentance is always open. By recognizing these traits within ourselves and striving to remove them, we safeguard our faith and character.
May Allah protect us from hypocrisy in belief and practice, purify our hearts with sincerity, and grant us the truthfulness and integrity of the righteous.
Disclaimer:
Instructor: Sheikh Dr. Sajid Umar | STEPS TO JANNAH S4 | Forty Hadith Imam Nawawi
These are notes sharing from the Steps of Jannah classes online taught by Sheikh Dr Sajid Umar focusing on Hadith 40 an-Nawawi. The classes are still ongoing, every Monday 8pm UK time. If you would like to join, please email stepstojannah12@gmail.com
The notes written are from a student’s personal notes transcribed from the sessions. Should there be any error, May Allah forgive us, and do feedback (ain1810@gmail.com) so that it can get amended, and may it be beneficial to all of us and may Allah reward Jannah to Sh Sajid and his team for the beneficial ‘ilm being shared and to all of the students Steps to Jannah, Ameen.