SULTAN Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who is also the deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, last week labelled corrupt politicians “the most dangerous enemy of the people”, likening them to “hypocrites” whose double speak took a heavy toll on the country’s state of integrity.
He also quoted the Quranic term “munafik” (singular) to describe the hypocrites who dwell on the heinous culture of insatiable greed for material wealth and power while pretending to be virtuous and religious at all times. He alleged that this was also the cause of “division” among those who have kept good faith and loyalty towards them.
In Islam, the “munafiqun” (plural) are referred to as a group who outwardly behave as Muslims but inwardly profess disbelief and insidiously seek to undermine the community.
The hypocrisy could be expressed in many ways such as directed towards God with respect to the actual faith; or towards its tenets, for example, by not taking heed in practising the faith or refraining from contravening the belief and faith, thus committing sins because of them. And yet pronounce the “fear” or “devotion” to God.
Still hypocrisy can be towards fellow humans, and described as double-faced and forked-tongued; praising someone sky-high in their presence or publicly, but denouncing them behind their back or privately in a slanderous manner.
Or as we often hear today, holding someone in high esteem (read apple-polishing) even though it causes injustices and pain to many others, but doing exactly the opposite the very moment that someone is out of favour. Like chameleons, they have no shame about changing their colour at will.
In the world of adulation and admiration, hypocrisy is often just a short distance away. Especially when one is in denial, or blinded by fear, or blinkered to toe the partisan line, or sheer herd-mentality to gain as much as possible in the shortest possible time, hypocrisy will be the likely consequence.
Thus corrupt behaviour and traits become prevalent and tolerant as the “new” norm that is to be expected in several feudal practices worldwide where the risk of being ostracised or even punished is real, if not daunting, namely for the unprincipled and faint-hearted.
For this reason, the Quranic verses on hypocrisy mostly refer to hypocrisy in belief and politics (read survival) which often result in chaos and mischief. After all, the hypocrite speaks and acts contrary to what he harbours in his heart. The Quran warns categorically against committing to something when there is not the slightest intention in the heart to put it into practice in reality. This is enough to make one a hypocrite.
In summary, hypocrites are more widespread when generally understood to include those who pretend to hold on tightly to virtues, morals or religious beliefs and principles, while in fact faking it, especially through actions that subtly betray the said beliefs and sentiments.
In other words, a hypocrite is also a liar who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, while in private, his opinions or statements grossly contradict the public expressions. No doubt, such a broader understanding is not limited to those in politics or in leadership positions. Invariably almost everyone is hypocritical the moment he or she fails to walk the talk when it is not convenient to do so. More so, just to keep up with their status, desires and domination at the expense of the rakyat.
Like the Greek root word hypokrite which means “an actor” or “a stage player”, hypocrisy is about being two-faced and taking on contradictory “roles” in propping up a lifestyle and value system that are exploitative and unethical if not immoral. This is commonly acted out in ancient Greek theatre where the actors hide behind large masks to show which character they are depicting, and play out the role without being fully recognised. Such dramas are almost a daily affair today in the real theatres of life. In fact, it can be so blatant that the “mask” could be an entire institution or system that provides “protection” to the hypocrite(s) causing the issue to worsen beyond anyone’s imagination. Under such circumstances, little can be done, short of unmasking those involved to ensure justice for the rakyat.
The time has indeed come for justice to take its course through legitimate channels. This may not be as simple because the hypocrites will not leave any stone unturned to ensure their survival.
Some are still in denial. Nevertheless, rest assured that justice will prevail in due time when there is no longer any place to hide. Hypocrites by nature are spineless and self-serving and this is their Achilles’ heel once the process of unmasking takes effect. However, they have no qualms dragging the whole system down with them if they cannot get their way. The situation can get ugly before we see the last of them.
With some four decades of experience in education, the writer believes that “another world is possible”. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
