Does hypocrisy vary from one era to another?
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The questioner : What is the difference between the hypocrites in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the hypocrites of this time?
The Shaykh : The difference is that the hypocrites in the time of the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) were hypocrites in his time, and the hypocrites in this time are hypocrites in this time. Is that clear? I am asking you: is it clear or not clear? The time is different, no doubt, but hypocrisy does not change. Hypocrisy is hypocrisy in the era of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and in our era. So, anyone who believes outwardly while concealing his disbelief from the people, but whose heart, may Allah protect us from that, is filled with disbelief, is a hypocrite. Then, if he has authority among his people and calls to hypocrisy, he becomes like Abdullah ibn Abi ibn Salul. May Allah grant us well-being. Is that clear? Yes.
The Shaykh : The difference is that the hypocrites in the time of the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) were hypocrites in his time, and the hypocrites in this time are hypocrites in this time. Is that clear? I am asking you: is it clear or not clear? The time is different, no doubt, but hypocrisy does not change. Hypocrisy is hypocrisy in the era of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and in our era. So, anyone who believes outwardly while concealing his disbelief from the people, but whose heart, may Allah protect us from that, is filled with disbelief, is a hypocrite. Then, if he has authority among his people and calls to hypocrisy, he becomes like Abdullah ibn Abi ibn Salul. May Allah grant us well-being. Is that clear? Yes.