What is Sahih Muslim 118 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book of Faith), narrated by Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed:, states: "There are three characteristics of a hypocrite: when he spoke he told a lie, when he made promise he acted treacherously, and when he was trusted he betrayed."

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih Muslim, which contains 7,459 hadiths across 57 books. It is hadith number 118 in the Book of The Book of Faith.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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#117

#118

Sahih Muslim

#119

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Sahih Muslim #118

The Book of Faith

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي الْعَلاَءُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ، مَوْلَى الْحُرَقَةِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مِنْ عَلاَمَاتِ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلاَثَةٌ إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ وَإِذَا ائْتُمِنَ خَانَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

There are three characteristics of a hypocrite: when he spoke he told a lie, when he made promise he acted treacherously, and when he was trusted he betrayed.

Narrated by Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed:

Context

Abu Huraira narrates this hadith where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ describes three characteristics of a hypocrite: lying when speaking, breaking promises, and betraying trust. This clear delineation serves as a moral compass for individuals, warning against behaviors that undermine integrity and trustworthiness.

Modern Application

In modern society, this hadith serves as a critical reminder to uphold honesty and integrity in all interactions. It encourages individuals to reflect on their own behaviors and strive to be trustworthy in both personal and professional relationships.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Hypocrisy and Moral Responsibility because it outlines the traits of hypocrisy and emphasizes the importance of moral integrity.

Hypocrisy Moral Responsibility

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الحَشۡرِ

Al-Hashr (The Exile)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

كَمَثَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ إِذْ قَالَ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ ٱكْفُرْ فَلَمَّا كَفَرَ قَالَ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌۭ مِّنكَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

[The hypocrites are] like the example of Satan when he says to man, "Disbelieve." But when he disbelieves, he says, "Indeed, I am disassociated from you. Indeed, I fear Allah, Lord of the worlds."

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

2 ayahs

فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًۭا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُۥ بِمَآ أَخْلَفُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْذِبُونَ

So He penalized them with hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him - because they failed Allah in what they promised Him and because they [habitually] used to lie.

ٱلْمُنَٰفِقُونَ وَٱلْمُنَٰفِقَٰتُ بَعْضُهُم مِّنۢ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَقْبِضُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ ۚ نَسُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ هُمُ ٱلْفَٰسِقُونَ

The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are of one another. They enjoin what is wrong and forbid what is right and close their hands. They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them [accordingly]. Indeed, the hypocrites - it is they who are the defiantly disobedient.

سُورَةُ العَلَقِ

Al-Alaq (The Clot)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

نَاصِيَةٍۢ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍۢ

A lying, sinning forelock.

سُورَةُ الحَدِيدِ

Al-Hadid (The Iron)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

يُنَادُونَهُمْ أَلَمْ نَكُن مَّعَكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنَّكُمْ فَتَنتُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَتَرَبَّصْتُمْ وَٱرْتَبْتُمْ وَغَرَّتْكُمُ ٱلْأَمَانِىُّ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَغَرَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ

The hypocrites will call to the believers, "Were we not with you?" They will say, "Yes, but you afflicted yourselves and awaited [misfortune for us] and doubted, and wishful thinking deluded you until there came the command of Allah. And the Deceiver deceived you concerning Allah.

Common Words

74 total69 unique3 repeated

ٱلله4x

قال2x

إنى2x

كمثل1x

ٱلشيطن1x

إذ1x

للإنسن1x

ٱكفر1x

فلما1x

كفر1x

برىء1x

منك1x

أخاف1x

رب1x

ٱلعلمين1x

فأعقبهم1x

نفاقا1x

فى1x

قلوبهم1x

إلى1x

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About Sahih Muslim

This hadith is #118 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Faith. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed:.

Browse all Sahih Muslim All Hadith Collections

Sahih Muslim #118

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sahih Muslim

About This Hadith