Source: Sermons of Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, compiled by: Tauheed.com
Brothers in Islam! Allah Almighty has commanded the believers to speak clearly and straightforwardly.
The command of Allah Almighty is:
﴿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: 70-71)
"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."
Clear and straightforward speech means speech that contains no lies or distortion and is based on truth. After commanding this, Allah Almighty mentioned two benefits of it. One is that Allah will amend the deeds of those who speak clearly and straightforwardly, and the second is that He will forgive their sins. Therefore, every Muslim should avoid lying and speak truthfully and clearly.
Allah Almighty has commanded all believers to be among those who speak the truth.
The command is:
﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَكُونُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ ﴾
"O you who have believed! Fear Allah and be with those who are truthful."
Allah Almighty gave this command to the believers after accepting the repentance of those three noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them, who stayed behind without excuse from the Battle of Tabuk. When the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, returned, instead of giving false excuses like the hypocrites, they spoke the truth and admitted their sin.
Because of their truthfulness, Allah Almighty accepted their repentance, and thus they were saved from the punishment of Allah which He threatened the hypocrites who gave false excuses with:
﴿إِنَّهُمْ رِجْسٌ ۖ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ جَزَآءَۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ﴾
"They are impure, and due to their deeds, their abode is Hell."
One of these three noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, is Hazrat Ka'b ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, who narrates that I was extremely prosperous at the time of the Battle of Tabuk, and the orchards were laden with fruits. When the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, set out, I thought that if I set out later, I would be able to join them, but that did not happen. They went far ahead, and I was left behind. Whenever I stepped outside the house, it saddened me that there was no one like me who had stayed behind from this battle except the hypocrites or those whom Allah had declared excused.
Then when I found out that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, had set out from Tabuk, I became deeply saddened and began to think of various false excuses to avoid his displeasure. I also consulted some sensible people among my household regarding this matter, but when I heard that the Prophet, peace be upon him, was about to arrive, the false thoughts left my heart and I decided that I could only be saved by speaking the truth in front of him.
When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, returned, he performed two rak'ahs in the mosque, and then sat down to meet with the people. Those who had stayed behind from the battle came to him, all swearing oaths and presenting various excuses. Their number was more than eighty
Reference: (80)
. The Prophet, peace be upon him, accepted their excuses and sought forgiveness for them, entrusting their inner selves to Allah.Then I came to the Prophet, peace be upon him. He asked, "Why did you stay behind?"
I said: O Messenger of Allah! If I were in front of anyone else, I would surely avoid their displeasure because I have been given eloquence and articulation through which I can make my point accepted. But by Allah! I am certain that even if I lie to please you, Allah will inform you of the truth and you will become angry with me. And if I tell you the truth, you might become angry with me, but I hope that Allah will bring about a good outcome from it.
By Allah! I had no excuse, rather at the time of this battle, I was more prosperous and powerful than ever before.
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: (( أَمَّا ہَذَا فَقَدْ صَدَقَ ، فَقُمْ حَتّٰی یَقْضِیَ اللّٰہُ فِیْكَ ))
"As for this person, he has spoken the truth. Therefore, you may leave until Allah makes a decision regarding you."
After that, I left. People scolded me, saying that if I had also given an excuse like the hypocrites, surely the Prophet ﷺ would have sought forgiveness for me as well. I asked if there was anyone else whose situation was like mine. They said: Yes, there are two others who were given the same response as you, and they are: Mararah bin Rabi'ah رضي الله عنه and Hilal bin Umayyah رضي الله عنه. So, I left.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade the people from talking to the three of us. Consequently, they distanced themselves from us and showed such coldness that I felt as if this earth was not the same as the one I had known before.
Both of my companions went back to their homes and spent their days and nights crying. As for me, I was younger than them and possessed strong nerves. I would go out of the house, perform prayers in the mosque, wander in the markets, but no one would talk to me. I would also come before the Messenger of Allah __ARABIC_N__ and greet him, and in my heart, I would wonder whether __ARABIC_N__ had even moved his lips or not. I would pray close to __ARABIC_N__, and when I remained fully focused on the prayer, __ARABIC_N__ would keep looking at me, but when I looked towards him, he would avert his gaze.
This sequence continued in the same manner. I had become weary of people's indifference. Meanwhile, I received a letter from the King of Ghassan in which it was written that we have learned that your companion has betrayed you, although you are not someone who should be discarded in this way. Therefore, come to us; we will support you and sympathize with you. I burned that letter and said in my heart that this is another test.
After forty days had passed, we received the order from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, that we should also separate from our wives. Accordingly, I sent my wife to her family.
Thus, fifty nights passed. After the fifty-first night had passed, I performed the Fajr prayer on the roof of my house. My condition was as Allah Almighty has mentioned:
﴿ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَن لَّا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّآ إِلَيْهِ﴾
"The earth, despite its vastness, became narrow for them, and their own lives also became constrained, and they were certain that there was no refuge for them except with Allah."
Indeed, my soul was also constrained within me, and the earth, despite being vast, was narrow. At that moment, I heard the voice of someone shouting loudly from atop Jabal Sila’: (( یَا کَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِک،أَبْشِرْ )) "O Ka’b bin Malik! You have good news."
Hearing this, I fell into prostration and realized that the difficulty had now been removed.
When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, informed the people about the acceptance of our repentance, they all set out to bring us the good news. A man rode swiftly on his horse towards me, but the voice of the one who had announced the good news loudly from the mountain proved to be faster than the horse.
When I set out towards the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, people met me in groups and congratulated me, saying: Allah Almighty has accepted your repentance, congratulations to you.
I presented myself before the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, who was present in the mosque. I greeted him. At that time, his radiant face was shining with happiness and was as bright as a piece of the moon.
He said: (( أَبْشِرْ بِخَیْرِ یَوْمٍ مَرَّ عَلَیْكَ مُنْذُ وَلَدَتْكَ أُمُّكَ ))
"Since your mother gave birth to you, today is the best day for you, so be glad of this good news."
I sat down before him, peace be upon him. I said: O Messenger of Allah! Thanking for the acceptance of my repentance, I donate all my wealth for Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon him.
He, peace be upon him, said: (( أَمْسِك عَلَیْكَ بَعْضَ مَالِكَ فَہُوَ خَیْرٌ لَّكَ ))
"Keep some wealth with you; it is better for you."
I said: The portion that I receive from Khyber, I will keep it with me.
After that, I said: (( یَا رَسُولَ اللّٰہِ ! إِنَّمَا أَنْجَانِیْ بِالصِّدْقِ ، وَإِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِیْ أَنْ لَّا أُحَدِّثَ إِلَّا صِدْقًا مَا بَقِیْتُ ))
"O Messenger of Allah! Allah has saved me because of my truthfulness, so as a gratitude for the acceptance of my repentance, I will not lie as long as I live."
By Allah! I do not know that Allah has bestowed such a favor on anyone by granting the ability to speak the truth as He has done for me.
(( وَاللّٰہِ مَا تَعَمَّدْتُّ کَذْبَةً مُنْذُ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُوْلِ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم إِلٰی یَوْمِیْ ہَذَا وَإِنِّیْ لأَرْجُوْ أَنْ یَّحْفَظَنِی اللّٰہُ فِیْمَا بَقِیَ ))
"By Allah! Since the time I said this to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), I have never deliberately told a lie. And I hope that Allah will protect me from it for the rest of my life as well."
This long story proves that Allah saves those who speak the truth from His punishment and accepts their repentance.
Promise of Forgiveness and Great Reward
Allah Almighty has promised forgiveness and great reward to truthful men and truthful women.
The command of the Almighty is: ﴿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﴾
"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, men who guard their private parts and women who guard, and men who remember Allah much and women who remember— for all of them, Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward."
And not only has He promised forgiveness and great reward, but He has also given glad tidings of Paradise to the truthful. The command of the Almighty is: ﴿قَالَ ٱللَّهُ هَٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ۚ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴾
"Allah will say: Today is the day when the truthfulness of the truthful will benefit them. For them are gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is the great success."
Speaking the truth is a characteristic of the pious
The command of the Exalted Allah is:
﴿وَٱلَّذِى جَآءَ بِٱلصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦٓ ۙ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ﴿٣٣﴾ لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴾
"And those who bring the truth and those who confirm it - those are the righteous. For them is whatever they desire with their Lord. That is the reward of the doers of good."
From this noble verse, it is established that speaking the truth is an essential requirement of piety and an indispensable attribute of the pious.
Truthfulness guides towards righteousness
The noble saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is: (( عَلَیْکُمْ بِالصِّدْقِ فَإِنَّ الصِّدْقَ یَہْدِیْ إِلَی الْبِرِّ وَإِنَّ الْبِرَّ یَہْدِیْ إِلَی الْجَنَّةِ،وَمَا یَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ یَصْدُقُ وَیَتَحَرَّی الصِّدْقَ حَتّٰی یُکْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللّٰہِ صِدِّیْقًا،وَإِیَّاکُمْ وَالْکَذِبَ فَإِنَّ الْکَذِبَ یَہْدِیْ إِلَی الْفُجُوْرِ وَإِنَّ الْفُجُوْرَ یَہْدِیْ إِلَی النَّارِ،وَمَا یَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ یَکْذِبُ وَیَتَحَرَّی الْکَذِبَ حَتّٰی یُکْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللّٰہِ کَذَّابًا ))
’’ Always speak the truth because the truth guides towards righteousness, and righteousness shows the way to Paradise. A person who always speaks the truth and seeks only the truth is recorded by Allah Almighty as a very truthful person. And avoid lying because lying leads to sin, and sin leads to Hell. A person who always lies and seeks only falsehood is recorded by Allah Almighty as a great liar.‘‘
Truthfulness in the Morals of the Prophets, Peace Be Upon Them
All the Prophets, peace be upon them, always spoke the truth, and truthfulness was an essential part of their noble character. Allah Almighty has mentioned this attribute of various Prophets, peace be upon them, as follows:
◄ Yusuf, peace be upon him: ﴿أَنَا۠ رَٰوَدتُّهُۥ عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ﴾
◄ Ibrahim, peace be upon him: ﴿ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا﴾
◄ Similarly, about Idris, peace be upon him, it is said: ﴿ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا﴾
◄ Ishaq and Yaqub, peace be upon them: ﴿وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ عَلِيًّا﴾
◄ Ismail, peace be upon him: ﴿إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلْوَعْدِ ﴾
And as far as Imam al-Anbiya Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ is concerned, even before receiving prophethood, he was famous by the titles "As-Sadiq Al-Amin" and besides his own people, others also testified about him that (( مَا جَرَّبْنَا عَلَیْكَ إِلَّا صِدْقًا )) "We have always found you speaking the truth."
And when Abu Sufyan went to the King of Rome
Reference: (Heraclius)
, at that time he was not a Muslim; he accepted Islam much later. Heraclius asked him many questions about the Holy Prophet ﷺ. One of the questions was: What commands does he give you? Abu Sufyan said:(( یَقُوْلُ : اعْبُدُوا اللّٰہَ وَحْدَہُ وَلَا تُشْرِکُوْا بِه شَیْئًا،وَاتْرُکُوْا مَا یَقُوْلُ آبَاؤُکُمْ،وَیَأْمُرُنَا بِالصَّلَاۃِ وَالصِّدْقِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالصِّلَةِ ))
"He says: Worship Allah alone, do not associate anyone with Him, and abandon what your forefathers used to say. Besides this, he commands us to pray, speak the truth, remain chaste, and maintain ties of kinship."
Hearing this, every tribe said: If what you are saying is true, then he
Reference: (the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him)
will soon become the owner of my throne.Those who were your mortal enemies gave this testimony about your truthfulness
Reference: (truthful)
and your command to speak the truth. And the truth is that which even the enemy acknowledges.And when the first revelation was sent down upon the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and you returned home in a state of great distress, Umm al-Mu'minin Hazrat Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, comforted you by saying:
(( فَوَ اللّٰہِ لَا یُخْزِیْكَ اللّٰہُ أَبَدًا،وَاللّٰہِ إِنَّكَ لَتَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ،وَتَصْدُقُ الْحَدِیْثَ،وَتَحْمِلُ الْکَلَّ،وَتَکْسِبُ الْمَعْدُوْمَ،وَتَقْرِی الضَّیْفَ،وَتُعِیْنُ عَلٰی نَوَائِبِ الْحَقِّ ))
"By Allah! Allah will never disgrace you. By Allah! You maintain kinship ties, speak the truth, bear burdens, give to those who have nothing, show hospitality, and help others in times of hardship and pain."
That is, in view of your noble character, Allah Almighty will never disgrace you.
This proves that, like other noble Prophets (peace be upon them), Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was also truthful, and truthfulness was an essential part of your (peace be upon him) excellent character. How could it be otherwise when Allah Almighty has declared you (peace be upon him) to be endowed with the highest rank of good character: ﴿وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ﴾
Therefore, we too should always speak the truth and keep our tongues free from lies by following the example of the noble Prophets (peace be upon them).
One should always speak the truth in general conversation
The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (( اِضْمَنُوْا لِیْ سِتًّا مِنْ أَنْفُسِکُمْ أَضْمَنْ لَکُمُ الْجَنَّةَ: اُصْدُقُوْا إِذَا حَدَّثْتُمْ،وَأَوْفُوْا إِذَا وَعَدْتُّمْ،وَأَدُّوْا إِذَا اؤْتُمِنْتُمْ،وَاحْفَظُوْا فُرُوْجَکُمْ،وَغُضُّوْا أَبْصَارَکُمْ،وَکُفُّوْا أَیْدِیَکُمْ ))
"Give me a guarantee of six things from your side, and I will guarantee you Paradise. When you speak, speak the truth; when you make a promise, fulfill it; when you are entrusted with a trust, deliver it; guard your private parts; lower your gaze; and restrain your hands."
The first of the six mentioned matters that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated is: to speak the truth in general conversation. Therefore, every Muslim who desires to enter Paradise should always speak the truth and avoid lying under all circumstances. Otherwise, he should remember that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said regarding lying in general conversation that it is one of the signs of a hypocrite.
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
(( آیَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلَاثٌ:إِذَا حَدَّثَ کَذَبَ،وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ،وَإِذَا ائْتُمِنَ خَانَ ))
"The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays the trust."
And in another narration, he said: (( أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ کُنَّ فِیْہِ کَانَ مُنَافِقًا خَالِصًا،وَمَنْ کَانَتْ فِیْہِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْہُنَّ کَانَتْ فِیْہِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ حَتّٰی یَدَعَہَا : إِذَا ائْتُمِنَ خَانَ،وَإِذَا حَدَّثَ کَذَبَ،وإِذَا عَاہَدَ غَدَرَ،وَإِذَا خَاصَمَ فَجَرَ))
"Four qualities, if found in a person, make him a complete hypocrite, and if even one of these qualities is found in a person, it is a sign of hypocrisy until he abandons it. The first is that when he is entrusted with a trust, he betrays it. The second is that when he speaks, he lies. The third is that when he makes a promise, he breaks it. And the fourth is that when he quarrels, he resorts to abusive language."
From these two blessed hadiths, it is established that lying is one of the traits of a hypocrite. Therefore, it is not befitting for a believer, nor does it suit him, to lie in his speech.
Oaths should also be taken truthfully
The Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: (( لَا تَحْلِفُوْا بِآبَائِکُمْ وَلَا بِأُمَّہَاتِکُمْ وَلَا بِالْأنْدَادِ،وَلَا تَحْلِفُوْا إِلَّا بِاللّٰہِ،وَلَا تَحْلِفُوْا بِاللّٰہِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ صَادِقُوْنَ ))
"Do not swear by your fathers, mothers, or partners; swear only by Allah, and swear by Allah only when you are truthful."
This proves that a Muslim should only take a truthful oath and must avoid taking false oaths. Whereas today, the condition of Muslims is such that they boldly take false oaths and seize the wealth of their brothers.
Testimony should also be truthful
Similarly, a Muslim should only give truthful testimony and avoid giving false testimony because giving false testimony is among the major sins.
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
(( أَلا أُنَبِّئُکُمْ بِأَکْبَرِ الْکَبَائِرِ ؟))
"Shall I not tell you about the greatest of sins?"
The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked this question three times. We said: Why not, O Messenger of Allah!
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
(( اَلْإِشْرَاكَ بِاللّٰہِ وَعُقُوْقُ الْوَالِدَیْنِ ))
"Associating partners with Allah and disobedience to parents."
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was leaning on something. Then he straightened up and sat upright and said: (( أَلَا وَقَوْلَ الزُّوْرِ وَشَہَادَۃَ الزُّوْرِ،أَلَا وَقَوْلَ الزُّوْرِ وَشَہَادَۃَ الزُّوْر،أَلَا وَقَوْلَ الزُّوْرِ وَشَہَادَۃَ الزُّوْر ))
"Beware! Avoid false speech and false testimony. Beware! Avoid false speech and false testimony. Beware! Avoid false speech and false testimony."
Then the Prophet ﷺ repeatedly repeated these words until I
Reference: (in my heart)
thought that I wish you would remain silent.Whereas today, many Muslims do not feel any shame in giving false testimony; for a few rupees, anyone can take testimony from them as they wish. Then decisions are made based on that testimony!
The belief in Tawheed must also be true
Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that once the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was riding a mount and Hazrat Muadh bin Jabal (RA) was sitting behind him. The Prophet ﷺ called him three times. Each time he replied, "O Messenger of Allah! I am present." Then the Prophet ﷺ said:
(( مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ یَشْہَدُ أَن لَّا إِلٰہَ إِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ صَادِقًا مِّنْ قَلْبِه إِلَّا حَرَّمَہُ اللّٰہُ عَلَی النَّارِ))
’’When a person sincerely testifies that Allah Almighty is the only true God and that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah, then Allah Almighty forbids Hellfire for him.’’
From this blessed hadith, it is proven that a Muslim must be sincere in his belief. And this means that he should accept the Oneness of Allah Almighty from the heart. In such a way that he dedicates every form of worship exclusively to Allah Almighty and does not associate anyone else with Him. Because sincerely testifying لا إلہ إلا اللہ means that
❀ He should consider Allah Almighty as the only true God.
❀ He should prostrate only before Him, consider Him the fulfiller of needs, and place all hopes in Him alone because He is the one who gives everything.
❀ He should fear only Him because no harm can come without His command.
❀ He should call upon only Allah because without Him there is no helper, savior, or remover of difficulties.
❀ He should ask only from Allah Almighty because He is the owner of all treasures. He should question only Him because all powers are with Him and His command runs over the entire universe.
❀ He should have such devotion and love for Allah Almighty that is based on His reverence and sanctification.
Who is a True Muslim?
It is with regret that one must say that today many Muslims remain Muslims in name only; true Muslims who sincerely obey Allah Almighty with a truthful heart are very few. Who is a true Muslim? Listen to a hadith:
Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah (RA) narrates that a man from the people of Najd came to the presence of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) whose hair was disheveled. His voice was audible, but we could not understand what he was saying until he came closer. He asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about Islam, and he said: "Five prayers during the day and night." He asked: "Is there any other prayer obligatory upon me besides these five?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "No, except that you also perform voluntary (Nafl) prayers." The Prophet (ﷺ) then said: "And the fasts of Ramadan." He asked: "Is there any other fast obligatory upon me besides these?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "No, except that you also observe voluntary fasts." Then the Prophet (ﷺ) informed him about Zakat as well. He asked: "Is there anything else that I am obliged to spend besides this?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "No, except that you also give voluntary charity (Sadaqah)."
Then the man turned his back and was leaving, saying: "By Allah! I will do neither more nor less than this."
So the Prophet ﷺ said: (( أَفْلَحَ إِنْ صَدَقَ))
"If he has spoken the truth, then he has succeeded."
Or the Prophet ﷺ said: (( دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ إِنْ صَدَقَ ))
"If he has spoken the truth, then he has entered Paradise."
From this hadith, it is proven that a true Muslim is one who at least performs the obligations of Islam such as prayer, fasting, Hajj, and Zakat with consistency and does not show negligence or carelessness in them. This person said that he would neither decrease nor increase in these duties and would always remain steadfast in them. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave him the glad tidings of success and Paradise on the condition that he truly continues to do so and sincerely puts his words into practice. Indeed, he will succeed and reach Paradise.
Truthfulness in Trade and Business
A Muslim should also be truthful in business and trade and should not use lies in buying and selling business goods.
Hazrat Rifa'ah رضي الله عنه states that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم saw some people engaged in business and said: (( یَا مَعْشَرَ التُّجَّارِ!)) "O group of merchants!"
The people then raised their heads and turned towards the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, ready to listen carefully to his words. Then he said: (( إِنَّ التُّجَّارَ یُبْعَثُونَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ فُجَّارًا إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّقَی اللّٰہَ وَبَرَّ وَصَدَقَ ))
"Indeed, merchants will be raised on the Day of Resurrection as sinners except those who feared Allah, did good deeds, and spoke the truth."
The benefit of speaking the truth in business and transactions is that it brings blessings, whereas lying removes its blessings.
The honorable saying of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم is:
(( اَلْبَیِّعَانِ بِالْخِیَارِ مَا لَمْ یَتَفَرَّقَا،فَإِنْ صَدَقَا وَبَیَّنَا بُوْرِكَ لَہُمَا فِیْ بَیْعِہِمَا، وَإِنْ کَذَبَا وَکَتَمَا مُحِقَتْ بَرَکَةُ بَیْعِہِمَا ))
"The buyer and the seller have the option to finalize the deal or cancel it until they part ways. If both of them speak the truth and disclose everything openly, their transaction will be blessed. But if they lie and conceal any matter, the blessing in their transaction will be lost."
Taking a false oath to sell one's property is a great sin.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: (( ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا یُکَلِّمُہُمُ اللّٰہُ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَةِ وَلَا یَنْظُرُ إِلَیْہِمْ وَلَا یُزَکِّیْہِمْ وَلَہُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِیْمٌ…اَلْمُسْبِلُ إِزَارَہُ،وَالْمَنَّانُ الَّذِیْ لَا یُعْطِیْ شَیْئًا إِلَّا مَنَّہُ،وَالْمُنْفِقُ سِلْعَتَہُ بِالْحَلِفِ الْکَاذِبِ ))
"Allah will neither speak to, look at, nor purify three types of people on the Day of Judgment, and for them there will be a painful punishment: one who lets his garment hang below the ankles, one who shows off his favors by reminding others whenever he gives something, and one who takes a false oath to sell his goods."
In light of all these ahadith, it is obligatory upon a Muslim to speak the truth and avoid lying in matters of trade and transactions.
Dear respected ones! The summary of the entire sermon is that every Muslim is commanded to speak the truth and remain among the truthful, because there are great blessings in speaking the truth and the harms of lying are very dreadful. Therefore, every Muslim should adopt this trait and always speak the truth in their general conversation as well. If asked for testimony, they should give truthful testimony; if they swear an oath, they should swear truthfully; they should also adopt truthfulness in beliefs and actions, as well as in buying and selling transactions. May Allah grant us all the ability to do so.
Brothers in Islam! Lying is one of the major sins, and besides the forms mentioned in the first sermon, there are some other forms of it as well.
01. Lying about Allah Almighty or His Messenger ﷺ is a very great sin
Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَٰلٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ ﴿١١٦﴾ مَتَٰعٌ قَلِيلٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌمٌ ﴾
"Do not say that this thing is halal and that thing is haram based on lies that come to your tongues, and thus you begin to lie against Allah. Those who lie against Allah never prosper.
Reference: (Such lies have)
little benefit but
Reference: (in the Hereafter)
there is a grievous punishment for them."And the noble saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, is:
(( مَنْ کَذَبَ عَلَیَّ مُتَعَمِّدًا فَلْیَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَہُ مِنَ النَّارِ ))
"Whoever deliberately lies against me, let him take his place in Hell."
02. Lying in jest is also forbidden
Some people think that making false statements or lying in jest is permissible, whereas lying is lying in any case, and its sin in jest is as much as lying seriously.
The noble saying of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is:
(( وَیْلٌ لِلَّذِیْ یُحَدِّثُ بِالْحَدِیْثِ لِیُضْحِكَ بِہِ الْقَوْمَ فَیَکْذِبُ،وَیْلٌ لَہُ، وَیْلٌ لَہُ ))
"Destruction is for the person who tells people a lie so that they may laugh; destruction is for him, destruction is for him."
And the person who refrains from lying even in jest, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ guarantees a house for him in the middle level of Paradise.
The noble saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is:
(( أَنَا زَعِیْمٌ بِبَیْتٍ فِیْ رَبَضِ الْجَنَّةِ لِمَنْ تَرَكَ الْمِرَاءَ وَإِنْ کَانَ مُحِقًّا ، وَبِبَیْتٍ فِیْ وَسَطِ الْجَنَّةِ لِمَنْ تَرَكَ الْکَذِبَ وَإِنْ کَانَ مَازِحًا ، وَبِبَیْتٍ فِیْ أَعْلَی الْجَنَّةِ لِمَنْ حَسُنَ خُلُقُہُ ))
"I guarantee a house in the lowest level of Paradise for the one who avoids disputes despite being right. And I guarantee a house in the middle level of Paradise for the one who abandons lying, even if he is joking. And I guarantee a house in the highest level of Paradise for the one who has good character."
03. Celebrating April Fool's Day is a custom of the disbelievers
Some people celebrate April 1st as "April Fool," meaning they lie happily and misrepresent the truth merely as a custom. Some lie to trouble someone, some to surprise someone, and some lie just for fun. Later, they admit that they were just celebrating "April Fool."
However, if they knew that by this act they are imitating the disbelievers and giving them an opportunity to mock them, they would certainly avoid it. Because it is said about "April Fool" that it is actually a celebration by the disbelievers marking the end of the eight hundred years of Muslim rule in Andalusia. The background is that when the Christians sent their spies to Andalusia to find out the real secret of the Muslims' strength, they discovered that strict adherence to Allah's commands and avoidance of evil was their true power. Consequently, they gradually introduced things like alcohol and cigarettes into Andalusia, and by using these, Muslims began committing sins and their faith became very weak. Eventually, the Muslim rule declined, and their last strong fortress
Reference: (Granada)
was also defeated on the first of April. This was actually a great deception that the disbelievers played on the Muslims. They did not realize this when the disbelievers introduced their impure culture and filthy values among them. And when their rule ended, they realized that they had been deceived. That is why the disbelievers celebrate this day as "April Fool," and the most regrettable thing is that Muslims also participate with them. It is as if they are laughing at themselves over their worst defeat.And some people celebrate "April Fool" by telling a lie that spreads far and wide, whereas such a person will be severely punished in the grave.
Hazrat Samurah bin Jundub (RA) says that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) finished the prayer, he would turn towards us and ask: "Who among you has seen a dream tonight?" If someone had seen a dream, he would narrate it, and the Prophet (PBUH) would interpret it. Then one day came, and the Prophet (PBUH) asked the same question as usual, and we replied: No, we have not seen any dream. Then he said:
"But I have seen a dream tonight, and it is this: two men came to me, they..."
He took my hands and brought me to the Holy Land. There I saw a person sitting, and a man standing beside him holding a spur in his hand. He would insert it into one of his thighs
Reference: (then pull it)
and drag it back to his buttocks, then do the same with the other thigh, pulling it back to the buttocks. Thus, both his thighs would meet near his buttocks, then his thighs would return to their original position, and he would repeat this with him as before. I asked: What is this? Both of them said: Move forward. So we moved forward... Then both of them explained that the person whose thighs were being pierced was(( فَإِنَّہُ الرَّجُلُ یَغْدُوْ مِنْ بَیْتِه فَیَکْذِبُ الْکِذْبَةَ تَبْلُغُ الْآفَاقَ ))
"This is the one who leaves the house in the morning and then tells lies that spread far and wide. He will be given this punishment until the Day of Judgment..."
In light of this hadith, those who imitate disbelievers by celebrating "April Fool" and lie or misrepresent on this occasion should repent immediately.
04. Lying to Children
Some people lie to their children, even though the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against this.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that one day the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was present in our house. During this time, my mother called me and said: I will give you something. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked: What were you intending to give him? She said: I intended to give him a date.
He (peace be upon him) said: (( أَمَا إِنَّكَ لَوْ لَمْ تُعْطِیْہِ شَیْئًا کُتِبَتْ عَلَیْكَ کِذْبَةٌ ))
"Beware! If you do not give him anything, then a lie will be recorded against you."
Lying to children is very serious in another respect, because in this way their upbringing is based on falsehood. And when they learn to lie from their parents in childhood, they lie when they grow up. The sin of this lies not only on them but also on their parents, because the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said (( مَنْ سَنَّ فِی الْإِسْلَامِ سُنَّةًسَیِّئَةٌ فَعَلَیْہِ وِزْرُہَا وَوِزْرُ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِہَا مِنْ بَعْدِہِ مِنْ غَیْرِ أَن یَّنْقُصَ مِنْ أَوْزَارِہِمْ شَیْئٌ ))
"Whoever adopts a bad practice in Islam, the sin of it is upon him and also upon those who follow it afterwards, without any reduction in their sins."
05. Permissible Lies
There are three occasions where lying is permissible, and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, stated it as follows:
(( لَا یَحِلُّ الْکَذِبُ إِلَّا فِیْ ثَلاَثٍ : یُحَدِّثُ الرَّجُلُ امْرَأَتَہُ لِیُرْضِیَہَا، وَالْکَذِبُ فِی الْحَرْبِ،وَالْکَذِبُ لِیُصْلِحَ بَیْنَ النَّاسِ ))
"Lying is only permissible in three cases: lying to please one's wife, lying in war, and lying to reconcile between people."
In the end, we pray to Allah Almighty that He always grants us the ability to speak the truth and protects us from lying.
