Introduction: When Sophistry Meets Divine Prohibition

The hypocrite stance attempts to use clever wordplay and selective interpretation to justify what God has explicitly forbidden. Their argument – that hypocrites are “sincere” during prayer when they say “You alone we worship” – represents a fundamental misunderstanding of both hypocrisy and divine law. This comprehensive refutation will expose their logical fallacies, misuse of scripture, and most importantly, demonstrate how Rashad Khalifa himself explicitly prohibited praying behind hypocrites.

Part 1: The Core Deception – “Sincerity in the Moment”

The Fatal Flaw in Their Logic

The hypocrites argue that when someone says “You alone we worship” (1:5) during prayer, they are sincere in that moment, even if they are atheists or hardened rejectors. This argument fails on multiple levels:

1. God Knows Their Hearts

The Quran explicitly states about hypocrites:

[4:142] “The hypocrites think that they are deceiving God, but He is the One who leads them on. When they get up for the Contact Prayer (Salat), they get up lazily. That is because they only show off in front of the people, and rarely do they think of God.”

How can someone who “rarely thinks of God” be sincere when saying “You alone we worship”?

2. Their Own Words Condemn Them

In verse 9:107, God tells us:

[9:107] “…They solemnly swear: ‘Our intentions are honorable!’ God bears witness that they are liars.”

If God Himself testifies they are liars even when swearing about their good intentions, how can we accept their “sincerity” in prayer?

3. The Quran Defines Their State

A hypocrite remains a hypocrite throughout their actions. The Quran doesn’t say “hypocrites except when they’re praying.” Their fundamental state of hypocrisy permeates all their actions, including prayer.

Part 2: Rashad Khalifa’s Explicit Prohibition – The Evidence They Ignore

The Ahmadiyya Mosque Incident

The hypocrites claim we can pray behind anyone who isn’t committing idol worship “in that moment.” However, Rashad Khalifa explicitly contradicted this in his teaching. In Messenger Audio 18.1 (timestamp 2:32-2:40), we find this crucial exchange:

Question: “You wouldn’t go to the Ahmadiyya Mosque here on the street, would you?”

Rashad: “Because you know, they idolize…”

[Watch the video evidence here]

This is crucial because:

1. Ahmadiyya Muslims pray just like other Muslims
2. They say “You alone we worship” in their prayers
3. Yet Rashad explicitly said not to pray there
4. His reason: “they idolize” – referring to their beliefs, not their actions during prayer

The Mosque That Isn’t a Mosque

In the same audio (timestamp 0:41-0:43), when asked about praying in mosques led by those who mention other names, Rashad stated:

“Actually, it is not a mosque. It’s not a mosque, why is there no God?”

[Watch this statement]

He further clarified (timestamp 1:53-2:10):

“We have a mosque where there are only robes and memorabilia. And only Qur’an is treated. So, I would run for my life, I wouldn’t go there.”

The Clear Principle

Rashad established that:

• A mosque where idol worship is practiced is NOT a mosque
• You should not pray in such places
• This prohibition is based on the overall practice, not moment-by-moment sincerity

Part 3: Behavioral Prohibition – The Hypocrisy of Selective Standards

The Double Standard Exposed

The hypocrites argue:

• ✓ You cannot pray behind idol worshippers
• ✗ But hypocrites don’t qualify as idol worshippers

However, Rashad Khalifa explicitly connected hypocrisy with idol worship. In multiple teachings, he emphasized that:

1. Mentioning Names in Prayer = Idol Worship

“When you sit down and you mention the name of Muhammad or a nabi in the Quran, you are finished, you are dead back, the salat does not mean a thing, you are disobeying God and disobeying the Prophet.” (Timestamp 56:15-56:28)

2. Hypocrites Practice Idol Worship

Those who claim to follow Quran but add hadith, mention Muhammad in prayers, or reject God’s mathematical miracle are practicing idol worship, making them hypocrites.

The “Don’t Enjoin Prayer” Fallacy

The hypocrites cite verse [96:9-10]: “Have you seen the one who enjoins others from praying?”

Their interpretation is flawed because:

1. Context Matters: This verse refers to preventing believers from praying, not refusing to follow hypocrites in prayer
2. Rashad’s Example: Rashad himself “enjoined” people from praying at the Ahmadiyya mosque – was he violating this verse? Obviously not!
3. Different Situations: There’s a clear difference between:
   • Preventing someone from praying to God (what the verse prohibits)
   • Refusing to pray behind a hypocrite (what God commands)

Part 4: The Prohibition Framework – Multiple Converging Commands

1. Direct Prohibition (9:107-108)

[9:107] “There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose God and His messenger…”

[9:108] “You shall never pray in such a masjid.”

The Arabic “لَا تَقُمْ فِيهِ أَبَدًا” (la taqum fihi abadan) uses “abadan” (never/ever), making this an eternal prohibition.

2. Prohibition of Support (5:2)

[5:2] “…You shall cooperate in matters of righteousness and piety; do not cooperate in matters that are sinful and evil…”

Following a hypocrite in prayer = cooperating in their hypocrisy.

3. Prohibition of Causing Sin (4:85)

[4:85] “Whoever mediates a good deed receives a share of the credit thereof, and whoever mediates an evil work, incurs a share thereof.”

By praying behind hypocrites, you:

• Validate their position
• Encourage others to follow them
• Share in their sin

4. God’s List of Prohibitions (7:33)

[7:33] “Say, ‘My Lord prohibits only evil deeds, be they obvious or hidden, and sins, and unjustifiable aggression, and to set up beside God powerless idols…’”

Supporting hypocrites = supporting those who set up idols beside God.

Part 5: The “Specific Prohibition” Deception

Their Claim

“The messenger said ‘anything not specifically prohibited in the Quran must be considered lawful’ (footnote 5:3).”

The Refutation

1. 9:108 IS Specific: “Never pray in such a masjid” is as specific as it gets
2. Misapplication of Principle: This principle applies to things like dietary laws, not to ignoring explicit commands
3. Context of 5:3: The footnote refers to not adding prohibitions beyond what God decreed, not ignoring what He HAS decreed

Rashad’s Actual Teaching

Rashad taught that we must follow Quran’s explicit commands. When Quran says “never pray in such a masjid,” that’s a specific prohibition that cannot be overruled by general principles.

Part 6: The Distortion of Language

“Frequenting” vs “Leading” (9:17)

The hypocrites claim:

• “Frequenting/maintaining” ≠ “leading prayer”
• A hypocrite leading once a year isn’t “maintaining”

This is absurd because:

1. Leading prayer is the ultimate form of frequenting a masjid
2. An imam, by definition, maintains the masjid’s religious functions
3. If idol worshippers shouldn’t even enter, how can they lead?

The “First Day” Confusion (9:108)

They mock the interpretation that each prayer session could be considered a new beginning. Yet:

1. Every gathering for prayer establishes a temporary masjid
2. The principle remains: establish your prayer on righteousness from the start
3. Don’t play word games with divine commands

Part 7: The Messenger’s Clear Guidance

Multiple Confirmations

1. On Places of Worship

“The places of worship belong to God; do not call on anyone else beside God.” (72:18)

[Watch this teaching]

2. On Following Quran Alone

“We are worshippers of God alone, and we go out of our way to destroy persons or idols of any kind, alive or dead.”

3. On Who Can Lead

Based on verse 2:124, only the righteous can be imams. God’s covenant explicitly excludes transgressors.

Part 8: The Real-World Application

What Rashad Actually Did

1. Established Masjid Tucson with Quran-only prayers
2. Removed all names except God’s from prayer
3. Taught believers to pray alone rather than behind hypocrites
4. Emphasized that earth is vast – pray anywhere but behind hypocrites

The Solution He Provided

Rather than compromise with hypocrites, Rashad taught:

• Pray at home
• Pray in nature
• Establish true masjids
• Quality over quantity – one sincere prayer > thousands behind hypocrites

Part 9: The Behavioral Evidence Against Their Stance

Rashad’s Actions Speak Louder

The hypocrites claim you shouldn’t “enjoin others from praying.” Yet Rashad:

1. Explicitly told people not to pray at certain mosques (Ahmadiyya example)
2. Established separate congregations away from traditional mosques
3. Taught that mosques with idol worship are “not mosques”
4. Instructed believers to “run for their lives” from such places

Was Rashad violating Quran by these actions? No! He was following God’s explicit commands.

The Idol Worship Connection

Rashad clearly established that hypocrites ARE idol worshippers:

• They mention Muhammad in prayers (idol worship)
• They follow hadith over Quran (idol worship)
• They reject God’s signs and mathematical miracle (idol worship)
• They claim partners with God in legislation (idol worship)

Part 10: The Ultimate Test

Ask These Questions

1. If someone rejects Quran as complete, are they sincere when saying “Guide us in the straight path”?
2. If someone fights God’s messenger, are they sincere when saying “You alone we ask for help”?
3. If someone mocks God’s mathematical miracle, are they sincere when saying “You alone we worship”?

The Clear Answer

God already answered in the Quran:

• They are liars (9:107)
• They rarely think of God (4:142)
• They only show off (4:142)
• God has condemned them (4:88)

Conclusion: Stand with God, Not with Hypocrites

The hypocrite stance crumbles under scrutiny:

1. Quranic Evidence: Multiple explicit verses prohibit praying behind hypocrites
2. Messenger’s Teaching: Rashad explicitly prohibited praying in mosques of idol worshippers/hypocrites
3. Logical Consistency: You cannot be “sincere” while being a hypocrite – it’s a contradiction
4. Behavioral Evidence: Rashad’s own actions prove he “enjoined” people from praying at certain mosques

The truth is clear: God commands us NEVER to pray in masjids established by hypocrites. No amount of sophistry can change this divine command. Follow God and His messenger – pray alone if necessary, but never compromise your faith by following those whom God has condemned.

Remember Rashad’s words: “I would run for my life” from such places. This is the standard we must uphold.

Final Warning

Those who insist on praying behind hypocrites should reflect on verse 4:140:

“…you shall not sit with them, unless they delve into another subject. Otherwise, you will be as guilty as they are.”

If merely sitting with them makes you guilty, what about following them in the most important act of worship? Choose wisely – your eternal fate depends on it.

[17:71] يَوْمَ نَدْعُوا كُلَّ أُنَاس بِإِمَٰمِهِمْ فَمَنْ أُوتِىَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَأُولَٰٓئِكَ يَقْرَءُونَ كِتَٰبَهُمْ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا

[17:71] The day will come when we summon every people, together with their record. As for those who are given a record of righteousness, they will read their record and will not suffer the least injustice.