I have a question about whether or not something makes me a hypocrite. Even though I am far from being a good muslim and am in no position to judge anyone, I find myself judging others for sins even though I struggle with salah (a matter I hope to rectify) what disease of the heart is causing me to not be that interested in my own sins, but feel saddened by others? When I hear others commiting acts that displease Allah, I feel angered and sad because Allah (awj) deserves better than that. When I see others disobey Allah something in me wants to do the opposite but I find myself falling prey to my own vices. Please advise me on how I can overcome these faults and also how not to be affected by the deeds of others. jzk

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.

You are not required not to feel harmed by the sins of the people; rather, being harmed and feeling hurt when they disobey Allah, Who deserves to be obeyed and not disobeyed, to be thanked and not be ungrateful towards; these are good feelings for which you will be rewarded. This is part of glorifying the rituals of Allah Almighty; Allah Says (what means): {That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.} [Quran 22:32]{C}

Nonetheless, what is required of you is to feel hurt because of your own sins more than feeling hurt by the sins of others, as your sins harm you and you will be held accountable for them.

Therefore, you must strengthen your consciousness of Allah and that He is watching you, and you should feel His Greatness and fear His Wrath and severe punishment.

Knowing the harm and evil consequences of sins will help you realize their seriousness and danger; whether in this life or in the Hereafter.

Sins cause tightness in livelihood, hardships, and a miserable life. Also, any evil that befalls the person in this worldly life is caused by sins and acts of disobedience. Allah Says (what means): {And whatever strikes you of disaster - it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much.} [Quran 42:30]

If you continue to be mindful of these matters, you will perceive your sins as great. Indeed, one of the signs of faith is considering sins to be a very serious matter.

A true believer sees his sins as if he is sitting at the foot of a mountain fearing that it might fall on him, while a hypocrite sees his sins as a fly that lands on his nose, and he just waves it away.

Among the signs of a complete faith is to consider one's sin to be a very grave matter. On the other hand, among the signs of lack of faith and an ill heart, and the infiltration of the traits of hypocrisy into it, is not considering the sin as a very serious matter and undermining it.

So, beware of this and always repent sincerely to Allah whenever you fall into sin.

You should abundantly ask for the forgiveness of Allah Almighty and you should fear His severe Punishment. At the same time, you should think good of Him and hope in His bounty and know that your salvation is by His Mercy.

Finally, we recommend that you read the book of Ibn Al-Qayyim entitled Ad-Daa’ Wad-Dawaa’, as it contains several effects of sins; if one ponders upon them, he will consider the sins that he has committed as very grave, and he will immediately repent from them.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 359083.

Allah knows best.