may validly be applied to such an instance according to its original, general designation, in which case its application is univocal, or according to its second designation, in which case its application becomes equivocal.

The term “hypocrisy” belongs to this category. In religious usage, it means outwardly professing religion while inwardly concealing its opposite. This religious meaning is narrower than the linguistic meaning of hypocrisy, which is not confined to outwardly professing religion. What is inwardly concealed in opposition to religion may be either disbelief or sinful disobedience.

If someone outwardly presents himself as a believer while inwardly denying the truth, this is major hypocrisy, whose perpetrator is threatened with being in the lowest depths of the Fire. If, however, he outwardly presents himself as truthful, faithful to his commitments, or trustworthy, while inwardly concealing lies, treachery, betrayal, and the like, this is minor hypocrisy, whose perpetrator is sinful. The term “hypocrisy” therefore originally applies to both univocally. Accordingly, hypocrisy is a generic term encompassing two kinds.

The term may then be used to mean hypocrisy concerning the very foundation of religion, as in His words:

“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths,”

and:

“When the hypocrites come to you, they say, ‘We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.”

Here, “hypocrite” means a disbeliever. The term may also mean hypocrisy concerning the subsidiary matters of religion, as in the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: