“There are four (characteristics), whoever has all of them is a complete hypocrite, and whoever has some of them has some element of hypocrisy, unless he gives it up: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a treaty, he betrays it; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; when he quarrels, he resorts to insults.”(Narrated by Muslim, 53) Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said: "On the authority of Abd-Allah ibn Amr (ra) that RasulAllah (saw) said: “Four traits whoever possesses them is a hypocrite and whoever possesses some of them has an element of hypocrisy until he leaves it: The one who when he speaks he lies; when he promises he breaks his promise;… Characteristics of a Munafiq (Hypocrite) by Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah .

A persons heart could be overflowing with it yet be oblivious to it due to its hidden but subtle nature. The Disease: Hypocrisy is a deep rooted all encompassing spiritual disease. Among their characteristics are enmity and envy (hasad) towards the believers, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “If good befalls you (O Muhammad), it grieves them, but if a calamity overtakes you, they say: ‘We took our precaution beforehand’ and …