Anyways, back to the topic. What do you think defines hypocrisy?
Cooterhein had described the general meaning of it and how it relates to most of us.
Islamic wise, Hypocrisy means making an outward display of Islam whilst inwardly concealing kufr. Hypocrisy is more dangerous than kufr (disbelief) and the punishment for it is more severe, because it is kufr mixed with Islam and its harmful effects are greater. Hence Allaah will put the hypocrites in the lowest level of Hell, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them[al-Nisaa’ 4:145]
The hypocrites are always confused, always planning deceit and plots. Although outwardly they appear to be with the believers, inwardly they are with the kaafireen. So sometimes they are inclined towards the believers and sometimes they are inclined towards the kaafireen.
You can read more about it here inshallah :
https://islamqa.info/en/12387
Have you ever been accused of being a hypocrite and if so, how did you deal with it?
Of course, most have been accused of it. The one's accusing often are less islamic themselves and they use it against you when you do something in Islam and not other thing they want you to do. For example, they would say you are big on no birthdays but you don't listen to your parents, doesn't Islam say anything about that?
Best way to deal with it is, is to admit that you are not perfect and have a long way to go but inshallah you are working on yourself. You don't expect to become a saint over night, we all have our own levels we are at and some of us are trying to better ourselves while others just point at others.
What is the Islamic view on hypocrisy??
Hypocrisy is a serious disease and sin and Allah has promised the lowest of hell for them. In the Islamic sense of the definition, I don't think most of us fall into that category inshallah. In a more secular definition of the sense, yes many of us do say something else and do something else. Which then raises the question, should you not tell others not to do something (like eat haram) or to do something (like pray) if you don't do it yourself or not perfect?
Scholars say that the Quran commands us to 'enjoin good and forbid evil' so we are still bound by the command to give advice to our brothers/sisters in the that regard. We should not let that deter us from it. But if you know something is important, like praying, but continue to not do it while telling others how important it is and should be done. Then that is being hypocrite and something we will get punished for.
And as for others calling you a hypocrite, that is something they should fear. We should be careful in accusing Muslims like that of things without any proof and carelessly. Firstly, they don't know what the person is going through and the personal battles they are fighting inside. And secondly, they should fear that Allah not turn them into that which they accuse others of. Whether you are sincere and do things for sake of Allah or not is something you need to see for yourself. If there is some lacking then that's something you would need to work on. But as far s they are concerned, if it's something they have said once or twice then I would ask them for examples so I can free them of any misunderstanding if that is the case, otherwise thank them for their concern and make dua that may Allah guide us all. But if this is habitual or something they say as a way of attacking you then I would say that you are not perfect and working on yourself and while they are quick to point fingers at others, they should fear Allah and spend more time on reflecting on their lives and see how they are please or displeasing Allah.