The Quran devotes extensive attention to al-munafiqun — the hypocrites who outwardly professed faith while concealing disbelief. An entire surah (Al-Munafiqun) bears their name. Understanding their traits is a means of self-examination and protection for every believer.
They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts, claiming belief to gain the benefits of the community while rejecting it inwardly.
They attempt to deceive Allah and the believers, but in reality they only deceive themselves without perceiving it.
When told not to cause corruption, they claim to be reformers — yet they are the very source of corruption without realizing it.
They stand for prayer reluctantly, only to be seen by people, remembering Allah only a little.
Suspended between belief and disbelief, belonging neither fully to one group nor the other.
The Prophet ﷺ described clear signs of hypocrisy in authentic hadith, so that believers may guard against them in themselves.
"The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks it, and when he is entrusted he betrays the trust."
— Sahih al-Bukhari 33, Sahih Muslim 59
"Whoever has four characteristics is a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has a trait of hypocrisy until he gives it up: when he is entrusted he betrays, when he speaks he lies, when he makes a covenant he is treacherous, and when he quarrels he behaves wickedly."
— Sahih al-Bukhari 34, Sahih Muslim 58
"The heaviest prayers for the hypocrites are the Isha and Fajr prayers. If they only knew what (reward) they contain, they would attend them even if they had to crawl."
— Sahih al-Bukhari 657, Sahih Muslim 651