Question
Are all of the hypocrites considered disbelievers?
Fatwa
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.
Some scholars divide hypocrisy into two kinds: major and minor.
1. Major hypocrisy that turns a person beyond the fold of Islam.
This is connected with one's creed such as professing disbelief inwardly but faith outwardly or committing an act of disbelief such as mocking [Islamic] Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation), the Prophet or the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. This is a major form of hypocrisy that renders a person outside the fold of Islam, even he prays, observes fast or claims to be a Muslim.
This type is described by Allah The Almighty who Says (what means):
• {And if you ask them, they will surely say, "We were only conversing and playing." Say, "Is it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief. If We pardon one faction of you -- We will punish another faction because they were criminals.} [Quran 9:65-66]
• {When the hypocrites come to you, [O Muhammad], they say, "We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah." And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are liars.} [Quran 63:1]
2. Minor hypocrisy that does not turn the person outside the fold of Islam.
It is called practical hypocrisy. There is a Hadeeth (narration) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, that the Prophet mentioned three characteristics and said that if a person harbors them he is a hypocrite even he fasts, prays or claims to be Muslim. That is when he speaks, he tells lies; when he promises, he breaks his promise; and when he is entrusted, he betrays. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In another Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet mentioned four characteristics, and added if they are found in a person he would be a pure hypocrite, and if anyone has one of them he would have a characteristic of hypocrisy until he gives it up. They are: if he is entrusted [something] he betrays; if he speaks, he tells lies; if he gives a promise, he breaks it; if he quarrels, he behaves mprudently and refuses to reconcile. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
And Allah knows best.