Truth is the oldest of all the virtues; it antedated man, it lived before there was a man to perceive it or to accept it. Telling the truth is key for all doors of goodness that may lead to Paradise. Iman (faith) and lying can never exist together in the heart of the believer. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمْ الصِّدِّيقُونَ وَالشُّهَدَاءُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ وَنُورُهُمْ.
“And (as for) those who believe in Allah and His apostles, these it is that are the truthful and the faithful ones in the sight of their Lord: they shall have their reward and their light… “ (Surah Hadid 57:19)
Truthfulness is a means by which can help the servant attain the pleasure and the love of Allah. Allah, Exalted be He, has made clear in the Quran that telling the truth is also a way for attaining success and salvation on the Day of Judgment. Allah says:
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِمَا أَرَاكَ اللَّهُ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَائِنِينَ خَصِيمًا
“Indeed, We to you the Book with the truth so that you may judge between the people with what Allah has shown you. And (do) not be for the deceitful a pleader.” (Surah An-Nisa` 4:105)
Truthfulness is one of the most basic things for the establishment of mutual social relations. Truthfulness in speech expresses a dignified personality, manhood, insight, and generosity. Many people understand truthfulness to mean the truthfulness of the tongue through speech alone. Allah says:
إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَا تُسْأَلُ عَنْ أَصْحَابِ الْجَحِيمِ
“Indeed We! [We] have sent you with the truth, (as) a bearer of good news and (as) a warner. And not you will be asked about (the) companions (of) the blazing Fire.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:119 )
In reality, truthfulness is a vast curriculum. It is as much one of the characteristics of the Muslim’s personality both outward and inward, as it is his speech and action. Allah says:
الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنْهُمْ لَيَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ
“(To) those whom We gave [them] the Book, they recognize it like they recognize their sons. And indeed, a group of them surely they conceal the Truth while they know.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:146 )
The pillars of truthfulness can be completed when the believer becomes truthful towards his Lord, the Prophet (PBUH), himself and society. Being truthful towards Allah, the Almighty demands to obey Him and draw closer to Him. Allah says:
وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
“And (do) not mix the Truth with [the] falsehood and conceal the Truth while you [you] know.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:42 )
Being truthful towards His Messenger (PBUH) demands following and emulating him. Being truthful towards himself demands self-accountability to realize the mistakes and correct them.
The virtues of telling the truth, of them, are listed below:
- Truthfulness helps individuals reward here and hereafter
- Truthfulness helps individuals attain rewards from Allah
- Truthfulness is one of the necessities of our society
- Truthfulness includes being truthful towards Allaah
- Truthfulness saved from destruction and calamities
- Truthfulness is a virtue of human behaviour
- Truthfulness in conveying the religion
- Truthfulness brings glorious benefits
- Truthfulness is a kind of goodness
- Truthfulness brings great benefits
- Truthfulness practice what you preach
- Truthfulness beware of lying to children
- Truthfulness urge to always speak the truth
- Truthfulness realize that lying is bad for you
- Truthfulness is human nature and physiology
- Truthfulnesstrain you with a no-excuse policy
- Truthfulness avoid supporting liars in their sin
- Truthfulness emphasize this great type of manner
- Truthfulness is a common part of human relationships
- Truthfulness is one of the excellence of human attitude
Islam is the only religion that guides its followers in every step of their lives. There are various good manners and excellent morals that Islam teaches us and truthfulness is one of them. Islam has declared it as one key element of a good character. Allah says:
الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ
“The Truth (is) from your Lord, so (do) not be among the doubters.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:147 )
Truthfulness is something that is to be cultivated till it becomes implanted in a person’s soul and disposition and therefore reflected throughout the person’s character. The positive reciprocal effect of behaving truthfully with people in this worldly life. Allah says:
قُلْ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ فَاتَّبِعُوا مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
“Say, Allah (has) spoken the truth, then follow (the) religion (of) Ibrahim (the) upright, and not he was of the polytheists.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:95 )
Truthfulness is the greatest of stations, from it sprout all the various stations of those traversing the path to God. It is the sword of God in His earth. Telling truth and avoiding lies are two basic characteristics of a true and faithful Muslim. To speak always the truth means to be a faithful, honest and trustworthy person. Allah says:
لَقَدْ جِئْنَاكُم بِالْحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ لِلْحَقِّ كَارِهُونَ
“Certainly, We have brought you the truth, but most of you, to the truth (are) averse.” (Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:78 )
In Islam, truthfulness is the conformity of the outer with the inner, the action with the intention, the speech with belief, and the practice with the preaching. Being truthful towards society demands sincerity in work in order to achieve well-being for himself and society. The more you become truthful, the more you become beneficial to your family and society and even help achieve their welfare and stability.
Allah revealed too many verses about truthfulness in The Holy Quran:
- “These are they on whom Allah bestowed favours…” (Surah Maryam 19:58)
- “O you who believe! Have fear of God, and be among the truthful.” (Quran 9:119)
- “O you who believe! Repent to God with most sincere repentance.” (Quran 66:8)
- “So put your trust in Allah, indeed, you (are) on the truth manifest.” (An-Naml 27:79)
- “If they had been true to Allaah, it would have been better for them.” (Muhammad 47:21)
- “And mention in the Book, Enoch: surely he was a most truthful Prophet.” (Quran 19:56)
- “And mention in the Book, Abraham: surely he was a most truthful Prophet.” (Quran 19:41)
- “But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.” (Quran 29:3)
- “That Allah may reward the truthful for their truth, and punish the hypocrites if He wills, or turn mercifully towards them … “ (Quran 33:64)
- “O you who believe! Obey God, and obey the Messenger, and those (Muslims) charged with authority.” (Quran4:59)
- “…and give good news to those who believe that theirs is a high rank with their Lord.” (Surah Yunus 10:2)
لِيُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ وَيُبْطِلَ الْبَاطِلَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُجْرِمُونَ
“That He might justify the truth and prove false the falsehood, even if disliked (it) the criminals.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:8 )
Lying is a sin that is classified among the greatest sins. Lies are things that are prohibited in Islam. All Muslims should avoid doing lies within act and talk. Lying in public in order to get praise or kindness from the community is an act that is very blameworthy. A liar is mean-spirited since he is notorious for falsehood in the sight of Allaah. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ.
“O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah and be with the true ones.” (Surah Tawbah 9:119)
Being truthful requires honesty and sincerity in words, deeds and all situations. Being truthful in words entails restraining the tongue from telling any lies even for jokes. Being truthful in deeds demands adherence to the obedience of Allah, being conscious of Him privately and openly and avoiding any sign of hypocrisy that eats up the rewards and the good deeds. Allah says:
إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا
“Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.” (Quran 17:9)
Truthfulness is the backbone of any peaceful and sincere society. If all Muslims try to adopt this great and basic character, there is no doubt and no hurdle in the way of their success. Being truthful in all situations requires sincerity of hearts and limbs by the virtue of the fact that the heart can’t desire and the limbs can’t respond except for whatever pleases Allah. May Allah, the Almighty make us among the truthful in words, deeds and all situations and help us obey Him and those He has ordained us to obey.
