Affectation: A Characteristic that Wearies and Discomforts People

The catalyst that drives people into affected behavior is their concealing any number of secret thoughts in their hearts. Because their internal and external behaviors are contradictory, these people find it extremely difficult to behave naturally and sincerely from within.

They are always concealing and simulating, trying to deceive others by putting on an act. For this reason their expressions are not authentic, their voices are not their natural tones, and what they say seldom reflects their true thoughts. Because of their pretended behavior, it is impossible for such people to form relationships.

They cover up their real characters and try to keep secret their real opinions about others, their true interpretations of events, and their own weaknesses, ambitions and desires.

Even when their affected behavior and the situation in which they find themselves is explained to them and they are asked to be sincere, still they respond with the same affected reactions.

As a result, it's never possible to understand these people's true character and discover their real ideas. In consequence, it's hard to be comfortable around them because anyone who covers up his real self may behave unexpectedly and badly at any time.

By contrast, one of the main characteristics of a believer is trustworthiness. What affords him this trustworthiness is his fearing Allah, taking refuge in Him, and his sincere effort to correct any mistakes or defects instead of trying to hide them.

Behavior contrary to this is first of all, insincerity towards Allah and secondly, hypocrisy toward other people.

Hypocrisy brings pain because it is as difficult and troublesome as sincerity is easy and comfortable. Insincerity requires that a person put on an act throughout life, without a moment's respite. Concentrating to maintain the unnecessary pose and continually planning and calculating are very difficult.
In the same way, curbing the genuine desires that arise from within and never living a natural life drive people into serious suffering. To turn the bad thoughts in their hearts into positive thinking, adopt superior morality and ideas and as a result, be unhesitating in behaving sincerely, naturally and comfortably is much easier than to live that way.

Merely imitating a religious and moral life, while pretending genuine sincerity towards Allah, causes those who do so to suffer loss in this world and the Hereafter.

Because of this, nothing should be left in a person's heart which is not in keeping with the Qur'an. One should behave with the utmost sincerity, directness and honesty towards Allah and His followers.