A young man who appears to be committed to religion but practices the secret habit: is it hypocrisy to display commitment while concealing this sin?

The questioner : A questioner says: “My esteemed Shaykh, I am a young man who appears to be committed to religion, and I have memorized most of the Qur'an, but I conceal sins, including the secret habit. Is it hypocrisy for me to display commitment while concealing this sin, and what is the best cure for the ailment of the secret habit?”

The Shaykh : This is not considered hypocrisy. A person who conceals himself behind Allah’s cover regarding Allah’s sins is not a hypocrite, because he fears Allah and is afraid of Him, and he believes in Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and he admits his sin, and he is ashamed before Allah (Mighty and Majestic). So this is not a hypocrite. What a person should do when he commits a sin is not to tell anyone about it. In the hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he said: Those who commit a sin and then go out in the morning telling people about it are not in a state of well-being. No one is more merciful to you than Allah, nor more compassionate, nor more loving of repentance than Allah. So if you do wrong and do not tell anyone, the matter becomes between you and whom? And between you and Allah, and the problem ends. So we say to the brother: Conceal yourself behind Allah’s cover, and this is not from hypocrisy. And strive to repent to Allah with sincere repentance. And if you are afflicted with this matter, think about the fact that it is forbidden, and it has bad effects on the body, especially on a person’s future. And the sensible person is governed by reason, and the sensible one is the one whose reason overcomes his desire. Avoid this and distract yourself from it. Then strive to marry early, due to the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): .