What is the difference between creedal hypocrisy and disbelief?
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The questioner : A questioner says: O Shaykh, what is the difference between creedal hypocrisy and disbelief?
The Shaykh : Disbelief is when a person, may Allah protect us, disbelieves in an explicit manner and declares it, without deceiving people. As for the hypocrite, may Allah protect us, he appears to be a Muslim while in his heart he is a disbeliever, either denying it absolutely or being a doubter who wavers. This is the difference. The disbelievers declare their disbelief and fight the Muslims, while the hypocrites, when they meet those who believe, say, "We believe." And the one who sees them says, "These are among the best of people." When you see them, what do you think? You are pleased with their appearance. If they speak, you listen to their words. Their demeanor is that of a dignified, pious Muslim scholar. You are pleased with their appearance. When they speak, they are eloquent, and you listen to their words. But there is no good in them.[Al-Munafiqun 63:4] There is no good in them. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Allah divided people in one of the surahs into three categories: a believer, a disbeliever, and a hypocrite. Which surah is this?
The student: Al-Baqarah.
The Shaykh : Al-Baqarah. Is it at the end, in the middle, or at the beginning?
The student: At the beginning.
The Shaykh : At the beginning. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Disbelief is when a person, may Allah protect us, disbelieves in an explicit manner and declares it, without deceiving people. As for the hypocrite, may Allah protect us, he appears to be a Muslim while in his heart he is a disbeliever, either denying it absolutely or being a doubter who wavers. This is the difference. The disbelievers declare their disbelief and fight the Muslims, while the hypocrites, when they meet those who believe, say, "We believe." And the one who sees them says, "These are among the best of people." When you see them, what do you think? You are pleased with their appearance. If they speak, you listen to their words. Their demeanor is that of a dignified, pious Muslim scholar. You are pleased with their appearance. When they speak, they are eloquent, and you listen to their words. But there is no good in them.
as if they were pieces of wood propped up
كأنهم خشب مسندةThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Allah divided people in one of the surahs into three categories: a believer, a disbeliever, and a hypocrite. Which surah is this?
The student: Al-Baqarah.
The Shaykh : Al-Baqarah. Is it at the end, in the middle, or at the beginning?
The student: At the beginning.
The Shaykh : At the beginning. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.