Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. Dear brothers, in the previous two episodes, we mentioned that one of us may have faith and love for Allah and His Messenger in his heart, thinking that he is not afflicted with hypocrisy in any of its degrees, while the Quran indicates that this heart may contain hypocrisy that increases and decreases according to circumstances. This leads us, brothers, to an important truth, which is that a person may be a hypocrite without knowing it: 1) Allah the Almighty says about the hypocrites: And when it is said to them, 'Do not cause corruption on earth,' they say, 'We are only reformers.' (11) Indeed, it is they who are the corrupters, but they do not perceive. (12) (Al-Baqarah). Ibn Al-Qayyim said in Madarij Al-Salikin: (As for hypocrisy: it is the severe inner disease that a man may be full of it without feeling it) (Part 1, p. 347). - Imam Al-Bukhari titled a chapter: The fear of the believer that his work may be nullified while he is unaware. - Muslim narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ((The sign of the hypocrite is three, even if he prays, fasts, and claims to be a Muslim)). Some of those who (claim to be Muslim) may believe in this claim due to seeing their own prayer and fasting, without realizing their hypocrisy. - The verses indicating that a person may do wrong while thinking he is doing good are many, such as Allah's saying: - ((And whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Merciful, We appoint for him a devil who becomes his companion (36) And indeed, they avert them from the way while they think they are guided (37))) And His saying: ((Or who is it that will lend him beauty in evil so he sees it as good)). These are sins, brothers...they corrupt the nature and cause disease in the hearts. Just as a sick mouth cannot taste well, those with sick hearts see corruption as goodness. ((Nay, but what they used to earn has covered their hearts)). And due to the hidden nature of hypocrisy, the Companions feared it for themselves. Al-Bukhari narrated from Ibn Abi Mulaikah, one of the great Followers, that he said: (I met thirty of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), each of them fearing hypocrisy in himself). - Hudhayfah ibn Al-Yaman was the confidant of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) regarding the hypocrites. The Prophet confided in him their names before his death. After the Prophet's death, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him: By Allah, I adjure you, did the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) mention me among them (i.e., the hypocrites)? Hudhayfah said: No, and I will not declare anyone pure after you. Meaning, he will not answer anyone after him regarding this question so that people may remain fearful of hypocrisy. Upon hearing these narrations, we usually stop at admiring the piety of the Companions and consider that they feared hypocrisy (beyond what is necessary). However, this is not what should be understood from them, brothers. The Companions were the most knowledgeable of the nation, and thus they give matters their appropriate weight and fear what should be feared. Their fear indicates the hidden nature of hypocrisy to the extent that it may exist in the self without the person realizing it. It is fitting for them to fear it, and we are even more deserving. The more a person's faith and understanding of the nature of hypocrisy increase, the more he fears it. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.