Chapter 3 - On Hypocrisy

“The most ignorant person is one who does not learn from the changes in this world, and does not change. The most self- sufficient person is one who is not enslaved by greed.”

“Any form of hypocrisy is polytheism. Whoever works for the people should demand his reward from the people, and whoever works for God, his reward is given by God.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Fear God and work for Him. God will fulfill your needs if you work for Him. If you work for anyone other than God, God will leave you to whoever you work for. “

“Woe to you! Whatever you do, God will put an attire on you. If your deeds are good, it will be a beautiful attire, but if your deeds are ugly, it will be an ugly attire.”

Umar ibn Yazeed said: “I was dining with Imam Sadiq (a.s) when he recited the verse: “Nay, man will be evidence against himself, even though he were to put up his excuse. [The Holy Quran: Qiyamat 75:14-15] and said: “How can man approach the people (through hypocrisy) in a way opposite to what God knows about? God's Prophet (a.s) said: “Whoever has an intention, God will put on him an attire for that intention. If it is a good intention, it will be a good attire. If it is an ugly intention, it will be an ugly one.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Work only for God, not the people, since whatever is for God will remain near God, but whatever is for the people will not go near God. Do not fight with the people over your religion, since fighting will make your hearts ill. God the Almighty told His Prophet (a.s): “It is true thou will not be able to guide everyone whom thou lovest; but God guides those whom He will.” [The Holy Quran: Qisas 28:56] and He also said: “Will thou then compel mankind, against their will to believe!” [The Holy Quran: Yunus 10:99]

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Work for God without any hypocrisy and seeking fame, since God will leave whoever works for other than God to his work.”

“On the Resurrection Day, those who worshipped the people will be called on to go and get their reward from the same people they worshipped since God does not accept any deeds that are mixed with material worldly affairs.”