How can one guard against hypocrisy?

By examining yourself honestly. The Holy Qur’an gives clear measures for this, such as whether you do what you call others to do, whether you would accept what you do to others, and whether you hold on to what is good even in hard times.

The Holy Qur’an speaks about hypocrisy on its very first pages. There is a reason for this. Many people believe that they believe, yet their actions say otherwise. Almost everyone considers himself a good person. So how can you know whether you are sincere? God does not leave people alone with this question. The Holy Qur’an provides measures by which everyone can examine himself.

The first measure is simple. Do I myself walk the path I call others to? Someone who preaches honesty to others and cheats himself has two faces. The second measure is whether I would accept what I do to others. Whoever treats others harshly because they are supposedly in error, but is outraged when treated the same way, uses double standards. Whoever stays humble instead and takes care that no one is hurt by him is on a good path.

The third measure shows itself in hard times. The verse above compares some people to travellers in a thunderstorm. When the lightning flashes, they take a few steps. When it goes dark, they stand still. Their faith depends on success. Someone who truly believes keeps going, whether it is light or dark. You can see this in everyday life too. Many gather around a powerful person, but when he loses his power, they disappear.

Whoever stays steadfast in trials comes to know, already in this life, that God is with him. The Holy Qur’an says that angels descend upon such people, take away their fear and stand by them. Their character spreads light around them, and people value them for who they are. So the best protection against hypocrisy is to ask yourself honestly and regularly whether your words and deeds match.