whoever possesses all four is a pure hypocrite, while anyone who possesses one of them has a branch of hypocrisy until he relinquishes it: when he speaks, he lies; when entrusted, he betrays the trust; when he makes a covenant, he acts treacherously; and when he disputes, he transgresses all bounds” (1).

In the Sahih, it is reported that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:

“The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when entrusted, he betrays the trust.”

A version narrated by Muslim states: “Even if he fasts, prays, and claims to be a Muslim” (2).

The Quran attests to this, for Allah describes the hypocrites in more than one place as characterized by lying, treachery, and betrayal. These traits are found in no group more abundantly than among the Rāfidīs, while no people are further removed from them than the genuine adherents of the Sunnah who follow the Companions. The latter are the people most fully characterized by the branches of faith and are furthest removed from the branches of hypocrisy, whereas the Rāfidīs are the people most fully characterized by the branches (3) of hypocrisy and are furthest removed from the branches of faith. As for all the other groups, their closeness to faith and their distance from (4) hypocrisy are proportionate to the Sunnah and innovation found among them.

All of this demonstrates that these people are the furthest of all groups from (5) following the infallible one whose infallibility is beyond doubt: the Seal of the Messengers—may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him and his family. As for what they put forward in opposition to the Sunnah—such as their claim of an infallible imam and other matters—it originated as an innovation introduced by a hypocritical heretic, as the scholars have stated.