Hypocrisy is the most dangerous ailment that afflicts. It is a serious and chronic ailment. You may know and see your clear enemy, whereas, the hypocrite is a hidden enemy among the community. Generally, the hypocrites experience inner conflicts and struggles because they say what they do not truly believe in, and they show other than what they conceal in their hearts. Hypocrisy became apparent in Al-Madinah but not in Makkah because Muslims were fewer and oppressed in Makkah, so there was no need for anyone to be hypocritical towards them. However, when the Muslims grew in strength, especially after their victory at the Battle of Badr, hypocrisy grew. In fact, the hypocrites exist everywhere, and the Quran outlined the characteristics of the hypocrites in thirteen verses at the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah and mentioned them in other Surahs as well and clarified their fate on the Day of Judgment saying:

 إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرْكِ الْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا

(Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire – and never will you find for them a helper) (An-Nisaa’: 145)

Ibn Salul was the leader of the hypocrites in Al-Madinah, who struggled to weaken the internal structure of the believers. When the Prophet (saws), emerged victorious, they said:

( غَرَّ هَٰؤُلَاءِ دِينُهُم…) (Their religion has deluded them): The hypocrites said that the believers have been deluded by their religion, but indeed they took pride in Allah (swt) because they knew that victory comes from Him, and they have no power nor strength of their own. Therefore, Allah follows that by saying:

(فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ …) (And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is [indeed] the Exalted in Might, the Wise.): The believers placed their true trust in Allah (swt). He Who is Exalted in Might, certainly cannot be overpowered. He is The Wise, Who creeds all matters in their proper proportion. Thus, after the triumphant and mighty victory, the Prophet (saws) and the believers faced a major wave of hypocrisy in society.

The term “hypocrisy” in Arabic is derived from the name of a small rat-like creature which is a species of the Jerboa that uses various openings, routes, and burrows to escape from one place to another. This term was adopted to describe a hypocrite, someone who show a false appearance to conceal what their hearts believe.