How do you pronounce منافق (Monafiq)?

منافق (Monafiq) is pronounced /moˈnɑːfeq/.

What is the English equivalent of منافق (Monafiq)?

The closest English equivalent of منافق (Monafiq) is "hypocrite / two-faced / snake".

منافق (Monafiq)

/moˈnɑːfeq/insult, religious

What does منافق (Monafiq) mean? منافق (Monafiq) is a Dari strong that translates to “hypocrite / two-faced / snake” in English.

Literal Translation

hypocrite (Islamic theological term)

Meaning & Usage

"hypocrite / two-faced / snake"

In the Quran, the munaafiqoon (hypocrites) are worse than outright non-believers because they pretend to be Muslim while secretly working against Islam. God reserves the lowest level of hell for them. Calling someone monafiq in Afghan society is a religious, moral, and social death sentence rolled into one word.

Examples in the Wild

این آدم منافق است، پیش تو یک چیز میگوید و پشت سرت چیز دیگر. (In adam monafiq ast, pesh-e to yak cheez megoyad o posht-e saret cheez-e digar. - This person is a monafiq, he says one thing to your face and another behind your back.) — Accusation of two-facedness.

3/ 5

Strong. Strong. Will turn heads in public. Normal among close friends.

Cultural Context

During Afghanistan's decades of conflict, every faction has called the other monafiq. The mujahideen called communist Afghan soldiers monafiq. The Taliban call democratic Afghans monafiq. Afghans in the diaspora call the Taliban monafiq. The word has become political ammunition while retaining its theological devastation. When an imam calls someone monafiq from the pulpit, it can lead to social ostracism, violence, or worse. Even in casual use, it's heavier than the English 'hypocrite' by an order of magnitude.