indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are surely liars” (al-Munāfiqūn 63:1).

A hypocrite has identifying marks. They are recognized by the one to whom Allah has granted perceptive insight and a light in his heart; such a person can detect hypocrisy by observing people’s conduct. There are, however, outward signs that require no special insight, among them the three the Prophet ﷺ mentioned:

1. “When he speaks, he lies.” He might say, for example, “So-and-so did such and such,” but when you investigate you find it untrue and the person has done nothing of the sort. Whenever you see someone lying, know that there is in his heart a branch of hypocrisy.

2. “When he makes a promise, he breaks it.” He pledges something but then fails to keep his word. He may tell you, “I will come to you at seven o’clock in the morning,” but never appears; or, “I will visit you tomorrow after the noon prayer,” yet does not show up; or, “I will give you such-and-such,” but never delivers. As the Prophet ﷺ said, “When he promises, he breaks it.” By contrast, the believer, when he makes a promise, fulfills it, as Allah says: “And those who keep their pledges whenever they covenant” (al-Baqarah 2:177). The hypocrite, however, promises only to mislead you; if you find a man often reneging on his promises and failing to honor them, know that there is in his heart a branch of hypocrisy—may Allah protect us.

3. “When he is entrusted, he betrays.” This is the point of this hadith for the chapter at hand. If you entrust a hypocrite with money, he will defraud you; if you confide a secret to him, he will divulge it; if you leave your family in his care, he will wrong them; if you commission him to act on your behalf in buying or selling, he will cheat you. Whatever trust you place with him, he betrays—Allah’s refuge is sought. All this indicates that there is in his heart a branch of hypocrisy.