65/4.26. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4602 — Repentance After Hypocrisy
"Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire..." (V.4:145)
وَقَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ أَسْفَلَ النَّارِ، {نَفَقًا} سَرَبًا.
Hadith About Repentance After Hypocrisy
Sahih Bukhari : 4602
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4602
حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، قَالَ كُنَّا فِي حَلْقَةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَجَاءَ حُذَيْفَةُ حَتَّى قَامَ عَلَيْنَا، فَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَقَدْ أُنْزِلَ النِّفَاقُ عَلَى قَوْمٍ خَيْرٍ مِنْكُمْ. قَالَ الأَسْوَدُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقُولُ {إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي الدَّرَكِ الأَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ} فَتَبَسَّمَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، وَجَلَسَ حُذَيْفَةُ فِي نَاحِيَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ، فَقَامَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَتَفَرَّقَ أَصْحَابُهُ، فَرَمَانِي بِالْحَصَا، فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقَالَ حُذَيْفَةُ عَجِبْتُ مِنْ ضَحِكِهِ، وَقَدْ عَرَفَ مَا قُلْتُ، لَقَدْ أُنْزِلَ النِّفَاقُ عَلَى قَوْمٍ كَانُوا خَيْرًا مِنْكُمْ، ثُمَّ تَابُوا فَتَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ.
Al-Aswad Narrated from:
While we were sitting in a circle in `Abdullah's gathering, Hudhaifa came and stopped before us, and greeted us and then said, "People better than you became hypocrites." Al-Aswad said: I testify the uniqueness of Allah!Allah says: "Verily! The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire." (4.145)On that `Abdullah smiled and Hudhaifa sat somewhere in the Mosque. `Abdullah then got up and his companions (sitting around him) dispersed. Hudhaifa then threw a pebble at me (to attract my attention). I went to him and he said, "I was surprised at `Abdullah's smile though he understood what I said. Verily, people better than you became hypocrite and then repented and Allah forgave them."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4602In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 124USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 126
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4602
This Hadith about hypocrisy and repentance records a strong statement from Hudhaifa. He says that people better than those present became hypocrites. Al-Aswad reacts by mentioning the Qur’anic warning that hypocrites are in the lowest depths of the Fire. Hudhaifa later explains what he meant: people better than them became hypocrites, then they repented, and Allah forgave them. The report does not make hypocrisy light. It keeps the warning serious. At the same time, it shows the door of repentance in the exact case Hudhaifa mentioned. The main focus is not to judge others quickly or feel safe from spiritual danger. A believer should fear hypocrisy, value repentance, and remember that Allah’s forgiveness is mentioned here for those who returned from that state.
What we learn from this hadith
- Hypocrisy is treated as a serious spiritual danger in the Hadith.
- People may fall into grave error, yet repentance is mentioned as the path back.
- Hudhaifa’s statement warns against feeling spiritually superior to others.
- The report balances fear of hypocrisy with hope through repentance.
