Checklist – I am NOT a Munafiq

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Alhamdulillah. The technology-driven and information-laden era which we live in today afforded us access to the world largest library with a plethora of information regarding munafiqs. On the basis that I am, with all my might, insyaAllah, striving to become a true Muslimah by purging vices and flourishing virtues, I have prepared a checklist based on my online readings for myself and other Muslims as a guide or reminder in attaining istiqamah in being a devout believer.

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful
We pray for hidayah and istiqamah so that we will NOT become munafiqs who

1. are lazy in worship

Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little - Surah An-Nisa (4: 142)

2. are forgetful of Allah, our Creator

Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers. - Surah Al-Mujādila (58: 19)

3. neglect solat

But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil – Surah Maryam (19: 59)

So woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their prayers, those who (want but) to be seen (of men), but refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs. - Surah Al- Ma’un (107: 4-7)

O you who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own. Al-Munafiqun (63: 9)

4. perform solat hastily without khushoo’

According to Hadith Muslim, our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said “Thus is the solat of the munafiq… hurrying the four raka’ah (of his solat)”.

5. abandon the sunnah of our Prophet (pbuh) for solat Jama’ah (Congregation)

Narrated by Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them (him, and his father), that the Prophet SAW said, "Whosover hears the call to salat, and does not respond, then there is no salat for him unless he has a valid excuse."

Abdullah Bin Mas'ood said: who ever would be pleased to meet Allah as a Muslim, then let him take care of those salat which are called to because they are of the ways of huda (guidance), and Allah has given to your Prophet the ways of huda. And if you were to establish salat in your homes, like that person staying behind in his home, you would be abandoning the sunnah of your Prophet, and if you were to abandon the sunnah of your prophet you would surely go astray. And there is not a man amongst you that purifies himself (yatatahhar), and does so properly, then directs himself to one of these mosques except that Allah will write for him with each step he takes a hasanah (merit), and raises him a grade, and drops from him a sayyi'ah (demerit). And I have seen us, where not one of us would stay behind from prayer in congregation except for a hypocrite whose hypocrisy is known. And one that could not come on his own would be carried between two men until he is stood in the row.

6. neglect Friday solat

Abu Hurairah and Ibn 'Umar report that they heard the Prophet (pbuh) say: "Those who are not attending the Friday solat should change their ways; otherwise, Allah, the Exalted, will seal their hearts and they will be reckoned the heedless." This is related by Muslim, and by Ahmad and an-Nasa'i from ibn 'Umar and ibn 'Abbas.

7. act based on a hidden agenda

They may conceal [their evil intentions and deeds] from men, but they cannot conceal [them] from Allah, seeing that He is in their midst when they plot by night, in words that He cannot approve: And ever is Allah, of what they do, encompassing. – Surah An-Nisa (4: 108)

8. encourage evil & prevent good

The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They enjoin what is wrong and forbid what is right and close their hands. They have forgotten Allah , so He has forgotten them [accordingly]. Indeed, the hypocrites - it is they who are the defiantly disobedient. – Surah At-Tawbah (9: 67)

9. conceal knowledge

Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture - those are cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse, - Surah Al-Baqarah (2: 159)

And [mention, O Muhammad], when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased. - Surah Al-Imran (3: 187)

“Whoever is asked about knowledge and hides it, a bridle made of fire will be tied around his mouth on the Day of Resurrection” (narrated by Abu Hurairah)

10. are riya' (committing minor shirk)

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.- Surah Al-Baqarah (2: 264)

Narrated by Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Should I not inform you of what I fear more for you than the Dajjal (the Antichrist)?” The people said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He (pbuh) said, “It is the inconspicuous Shirk (referring to Riya’); a person stands up in Salah (Prayer) and tries to make it perfect when he realises that others are looking at him.” (Related by Imam Ahmad)

~ checklist to be continued ~

Through the blessed Quran and Hadiths, Allah has cautioned us of the characteristics of Munafiqs and the outcome of being one of them that we will not be oblivious of it, that we may repent and change before it is too late, that we may avoid punishment in Hell that are unimaginably grievous and eternal.