Source: Khutbahs of Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, Compiled by: Tawheed.com
The Command of Allah: Clear, Straightforward, and Truthful Speech
Allah, the Exalted, has commanded the believers to adopt piety and to speak clearly, plainly, and truthfully:
﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا ﴿٧٠﴾ يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَٰلَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا﴾
Reference: (Al-Ahzab 33: 71-70)
Translation:
“O you who have believed! Fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.”
The term "sadiq" refers to speech that is free from lies, deceit, and manipulation, and is based on truth. Along with this command, Allah has also mentioned two great benefits:
➊ Rectification of deeds
➋ Forgiveness of sins
Therefore, it is essential for a Muslim to avoid falsehood and adhere to truthfulness.
The Command to Be with the Truthful
Allah, the Exalted, has commanded the believers to be with those who speak the truth:
﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ ﴾
Translation:
“O you who have believed! Fear Allah and be with those who are true.”
This command came after the repentance of the three Companions رضي الله عنهم who lagged behind without excuse during the Battle of Tabuk. They did not fabricate false excuses like the hypocrites but confessed their mistakes by speaking the truth, so Allah accepted their repentance. Meanwhile, a warning was given regarding the hypocrites who provided false excuses:
﴿إِنَّهُمْ رِجْسٌ ۖ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ﴾
Translation:
“They are impure, and their abode is Hell due to their deeds.”
The Inspiring Incident of Hazrat Ka'b ibn Malik رضي الله عنه: The Blessing of Truthfulness
Among those three Companions رضي الله عنهم was Hazrat Ka'b ibn Malik رضي الله عنه. He narrates that at the time of Tabuk, he was prosperous, and the gardens were full of fruits. He thought he would join the army later, but he did not receive the opportunity and lagged behind. Whenever he went out, his heart would break, as there was no one left behind like him except for a hypocrite or someone truly excused.
When it became known that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was returning, I became anxious and started thinking of false excuses to avoid displeasure. I also consulted the wise members of my household, but when the Prophet ﷺ approached, the thoughts of lies vanished, and I resolved that salvation lies in the truth.
The Noble Prophet ﷺ entered the mosque, performed two rak'ahs, and then sat down to meet the people. Many of those who had lagged behind came forward, swearing oaths and presenting excuses—there were more than eighty of them. You ﷺ accepted their apparent excuses, sought forgiveness for them, and entrusted their inner matters to Allah.
Then Hazrat Ka'b رضي الله عنه came forward. The Prophet ﷺ asked, "Why did you stay behind?" He replied, "If I were in front of anyone other than you, I could have avoided your displeasure through eloquence, but by Allah! Even if I were to lie to please you, Allah would reveal the truth to you, and you would become angry with me. And if I speak the truth, it is possible that you may be displeased, but I hope Allah will bring about a good outcome." He then clearly stated: "I had no excuse."
Upon this, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
(( أَمَّا هَذَا فَقَدْ صَدَقَ ، فَقُمْ حَتّٰی يَقْضِيَ اللّٰهُ فِيكَ ))
Translation:
"As for this person, he has spoken the truth. Therefore, you may go until Allah decides regarding you."
The people rebuked him, saying that if he had made excuses like the hypocrites, the Prophet ﷺ would have sought forgiveness for him. He asked: "Is there anyone else like me?" It was reported that Murarah bin Rabi'ah رضي الله عنه and Hilal bin Umayyah رضي الله عنه—both received the same response.
Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded that people should not speak to us three. The people kept away from us, to the extent that the earth also began to feel foreign. The two companions remained at home, weeping. Hazrat Ka'b رضي الله عنه was relatively young and strong; he would go to the mosque, pray, and roam in the market, but no one would speak to him. He would greet the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, thinking in his heart: I wonder if He responded or not? When he was close to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during prayer, the Prophet ﷺ would look at him, but when he turned his attention, the Prophet ﷺ would avert his gaze.
During this time, a letter arrived from the king of Ghassan stating that your companion has betrayed you; come to us, and we will support you. Hazrat Ka'b رضي الله عنه burned the letter and said this is also a trial.
After forty days, a command was issued to separate from their wives as well. They sent their wives to their families. Fifty nights passed. On the fiftieth night, after Fajr, their condition was the same as described in the Quran:
﴿ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَن لَّا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّآ إِلَيْهِ﴾
Translation:
“The earth, despite its vastness, became constricted for them, and their own souls became constricted as well, and they were certain that there was no refuge for them except with Allah.”
Then a voice was raised on Mount Sal:
(( يَا كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِك، أَبْشِرْ ))
Translation:
“O Ka'b ibn Malik! You have good news.”
He fell into prostration and realized that the difficulty had passed. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ announced to the people the acceptance of repentance, and everyone rushed to give the good news. When Hazrat Ka'b رضي الله عنه reached the Prophet ﷺ, his face was shining with joy like a piece of the moon. The Prophet ﷺ said:
(( أَبْشِرْ بِخَيْرِ يَوْمٍ مَرَّ عَلَيْكَ مُنْذُ وَلَدَتْكَ أُمُّكَ ))
Translation:
“Since the day your mother gave birth to you, today is the best day for you, so you have good news.”
When Hazrat Ka'b رضي الله عنه mentioned giving all his wealth in charity out of gratitude, the Prophet ﷺ said:
(( أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ بَعْضَ مَالِكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ ))
Translation:
“Keep some wealth with you; it is better for you.”
Then Hazrat Ka'b رضي الله عنه said:
(( يَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ ! إِنَّمَا أَنْجَانِيْ بِالصِّدْقِ ، وَإِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِيْ أَنْ لَّا أُحَدِّثَ إِلَّا صِدْقًا مَا بَقِيتُ ))
Translation:
"O Messenger of Allah! Allah, the Exalted, has saved me because of my truthfulness, so a part of my repentance is that I will speak the truth as long as I live."
And he further said:
(( وَاللّٰهِ مَا تَعَمَّدْتُّ كَذْبَةً مُنْذُ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللّٰهِ صلي الله عليه وسلم إِلٰى يَوْمِيْ هٰذَا وَإِنِّيْ لَأَرْجُوْ أَنْ يَّحْفَظَنِيَ اللّٰهُ فِيْمَا بَقِيَ ))
Translation:
"By Allah! Since I said this to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I have not intentionally told a lie, and I hope that Allah will keep me safe for the rest of my life."
This incident clearly illustrates that truthfulness is a means of salvation from Allah's punishment and the acceptance of repentance.
The Promise of Forgiveness and Great Reward
Allah, the Exalted, has prepared forgiveness and a great reward for the men and women who speak the truth:
﴿إِنَّ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَٱلْمُسْلِمَٰتِ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ وَٱلْقَٰنِتِينَ وَٱلْقَٰنِتَٰتِ وَٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ وَٱلصَّٰدِقَٰتِ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّٰبِرَٰتِ وَٱلْخَٰشِعِينَ وَٱلْخَٰشِعَٰتِ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقَٰتِ وَٱلصَّٰٓئِمِينَ وَٱلصَّٰٓئِمَٰتِ وَٱلْحَٰفِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَٱلْحَٰفِظَٰتِ وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا﴾
Translation:
"Indeed, Muslim men and Muslim women, believing men and believing women, obedient men and obedient women, truthful men and truthful women, patient men and patient women, humble men and humble women, charitable men and charitable women, fasting men and fasting women, those who guard their private parts, and those who remember Allah abundantly—Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward."
Glad Tidings of Paradise for the Truthful
Allah has also given glad tidings of Paradise for the truthful:
﴿قَالَ ٱللَّهُ هَٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴾
Translation:
"Allah will say: This is the Day when the truth will benefit the truthful. For them are gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah. That is the great success."
Speaking the Truth is a Trait of the Pious
Allah has described the sign of the pious as those who bring forth the truth and confirm it:
﴿وَٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦٓ ۙ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ﴿٣٣﴾ لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴾
Translation:
"And whoever brings a truthful message and believes in it, they are the righteous. For them is what they desire with their Lord. This is the reward for the doers of good."
This indicates that truthfulness is an essential requirement of piety.
Conclusion
It is essential for every Muslim to adopt truthfulness in conversation, promises, oaths, testimony, beliefs, worship, and transactions—avoiding falsehood completely, as lying undermines faith and character and opens the path to hypocrisy. May Allah grant us the ability to choose truthfulness and protect us from falsehood, Ameen.
