Beware of the smooth-tongued hypocrites
What did the Prophet (peace be upon him) fear the most for his Ummah?
Imran bin Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
روى البزار والطبراني في المعجم الكبير عن عمران بن حصين رضي الله عنهما قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم «إنَّ أخْوَفَ ما أخافُ عليكُم بعدي، كلُّ منافقٍ عليمُ اللِّسانِ»
“What I fear most for you after me is every hypocrite with a smooth tongue.” (Al-Bazzar and Al-Tabarani)
In this hadith, the English translation does not fully convey the meaning of the Arabic term alim al-lisan, which means knowledgeable in speech. Here, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is referring to the highest level of hypocrisy—not just an average hypocrite or a mid-level one, but those who are the most dangerous to society. These are the leaders who misguide people while being misguided themselves.
They are well-versed in their fields—whether religion, politics, or economics—and constantly issue statements and fatwas. The Prophet (peace be upon him) feared their hypocrisy because it is one of the most destructive diseases that can ruin the Ummah. He personally endured the plots and schemes of hypocrites who persistently tried to sabotage his efforts to establish harmony and righteousness.
Their treachery was so vile that they even falsely accused his wife, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), of adultery, causing deep pain and distress. They side with the enemies of Muslims, secretly working against the Ummah, exchanging money under the table and doing deals behind closed doors.
Every righteous leader suffers from the actions of hypocrites. Throughout history, hypocrites have caused destruction, and our time is no exception.
Hypocrisy (nifaq) will persist until the Day of Judgment
Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
عن عمران بن حصين، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «أخوف ما أخاف عليكم جدال المنافق عليم اللسان».
“What I fear most for you is the argument of a knowledgeable hypocrite with a fluent tongue.” (Ibn Hibban)
Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
وروى الإِمام أحمد والبزار وأبو يعلى عن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه قال «حذرنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كل منافق عليم اللسان»
“The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) warned us against every hypocrite who is smooth-tongued.” (Imam Ahmad, Al-Bazzar, and Abu Ya’la)
Ziyad ibn Hudayr (may Allah be pleased with him) stated:
وعن زياد بن حُدير قال قال لي عمر رضي الله عنه هل تعرف ما يهدم الإِسلام؟ قال قلت: لا، قال: «يهدمه زلة العالم، وجدال المنافق بالكتاب، وحكم الأئمة المضلين».
Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to me, “Do you know what destroys Islam?” I said, “No.” He replied, “The slip of a scholar, the argument of a hypocrite based on the Book, and the judgment of misguided imams.” (Al-Darimi)
Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ رضي الله عنه مرفوعا بلفظ : “إِنَّمَا أَخَافُ عَلَى أُمَّتِي الْأَئِمَّةَ الْمُضِلِّينَ”.
“I only fear for my Ummah the misguiding imams.” (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)
Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) also said:
قال عمر رضي الله عنه:” إن أخوف ما أخاف على هذه الأمة المنافق العليم، قالوا: وكيف يكون منافقاً عليماً؟ قال: عليم اللسان، جاهل القلب والعمل”.
Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “What I fear most for this nation is the knowledgeable hypocrite.” They asked, “How can he be knowledgeable yet a hypocrite?” He replied, “He is knowledgeable in speech but ignorant in heart and action.” (Ahmad)
This is why the prophet describes hypocrites as knowledgeable in speech, referring to the tongue, not the mind or the heart because they are only pretending to be good, while in reality they are not good and have dead hearts.
«عَلِيمِ اللسان» أي: عِلْمُه مُقتَصِر على لسانه، ليس لقلبه منه حَظٌّ
“Knowledgeable of tongue” means: His knowledge is limited to his tongue, and his heart has no share of it.
The arguments of hypocrites
In today’s world, many such hypocrites exist. Their silver-tongued arguments mislead people because they are highly educated, and skilled in manipulating language. With their eloquence, they twist facts, misguide and manipulate public opinion. Hypocrites have been trained to deceive, infiltrating top positions and siding with the enemies of the Ummah.
True believers do not make their da’wa mission a profession from they expect to earn great wealth. Nor do they preach goodness whilst being evil. True believers uphold the message of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They continue his mission by supporting the oppressed, the vulnerable, and the needy.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) feared his Ummah would be betrayed by those who are in it for more dollars in their accounts, status, and power. However, no matter how high up a hypocrite is in dunya or how wealthy, nothing can save them from the excruciating punishment that awaits them Hell. They will lose the dunya and the akhirah. It is not worth it. Hypocrites will be in the lowest ranks of Hell, stripped of both dunya and akhirah.
Moreover, those whom they misled will come on the Day of Judgment and sue them in Allah’s court, where ultimate justice will be served. This is why it is essential to verify any information before accepting it, distinguishing between those who knowingly mislead and those who fall victim to deception.
There is a big difference between the one who intentionally misguides others and the one who unknowingly falls into their trap.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) urged vigilance. Truth emits a bright light that can be felt in the heart, while falsehood is dark. Sometimes we are clouded by the opinions which even come from people we trusted at some point in our lives. Later, it transpires they were hypocrites serving the enemies.
Dua for guidance
If ever in doubt, sincerely ask Allah to guide you to the truth in matters, from the bottom of your heart.
“ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ فَاطِرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ ”
Allahumma Rabba Jibril wa Maika’il wa Israfil; Fatirus-samawati wal-ard, ‘alim al-ghaybi wash-shahadah, anta tahkumu bayna ‘ibadika fima kanu fihi yakhtalifun, Allahumma ihdini limakktulifa fihi min al-haqq innaka tahdi man tasha’ila siratin mustaqim
O Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mika’il and Israfil, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You judge between Your slaves concerning wherein they differ. O Allah, guide me to the disputed matters of truth for You are the One Who guides to the Straight Path. (Nasa’i)
A time of tests
These are difficult times, filled with continuous trials—whether personal, communal, or global. The atrocities in Gaza are one test, but we also face countless individual challenges.
May Allah enable us to pass these tests successfully and keep our connection to Him strong.
We ask Allah to make us people of truth, to protect us from hypocrisy and hypocrites, and to uphold justice. Ameen.