A Crystal-Clear Description of the Two-Faced Person

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, may Allah protect him, said:

…A two-faced person is a chameleon-like individual with the people. In one sitting, he says what pleases the people who are there. Then, he goes to another sitting, praises those people, says what pleases them and speaks ill of the first group.

He shows one face to a group of people and another face to others. This is hypocrisy, and we seek refuge with Allah; it is also impermissible flattery. He goes to people who do evil deeds and gives the appearance that he is pleased with them. He shows them a pardoning, cheery face. He does the same with the people upon the truth.

For this reason, he is under a sever threat. Allah, The Lofty, described these people by saying (i.e. its meaning):

Wavering between them, [belonging] neither to these [i.e., the believers] nor to those [i.e., the disbelievers]
[Soorah an-Nisaa (4): 153]

And in another verse, He says (i.e. its meaning):

And when they meet those who believe, they say, “We believe”;but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, “Indeed,we are with you; we were only mockers.” [Soorah al-Baqaraa (2): 14]

As for a Muslim, then he is truthful, he does not display chameleon-like behavior, and he does not do things for the sake of people. He interacts with everyone according to what Islam dictates.

He clings to the fear of Allah and truthfulness in every circumstance and sitting in all situations. His goal is Allah, and he seeks His pleasure. He doesn’t seek the pleasure of people…(1)

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(1): Saalih al-Fawzaan, An Exaplanation of al-Kabaa’ir by Muhammad b. Abdul-Wahaab, 392