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 to all doors of goodness that may lead to Paradise. Iman (faith) and lying can never exist together in the heart of the believer. Truthfulness is a means by which the servant can help attain the pleasure and the love of Allah. Allah says:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِمَا أَرَاكَ اللَّهُ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَائِنِينَ خَصِيمًا

“Indeed, We have given 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. Islam is the only religion that guides its followers in every step of their lives. 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 recognise it like they recognise their sons. And indeed, a group of them surely conceal the Truth while they know.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:146 )

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.

The virtues of telling the truth, of them, are listed below:

1. Truthfulness helps individuals be rewarded here and hereafter
2. Truthfulness helps individuals attain rewards from Allah 
3. Truthfulness saved from destruction and calamities
4. Truthfulness is one of the necessities of our society
5. Truthfulness includes being truthful towards Allaah
6. Truthfulness is a virtue of human behaviour
7. Truthfulness in conveying the religion
8. Truthfulness brings glorious benefits
9. Truthfulness is a kind of goodness 
10. Truthfulness brings great benefits
11. Truthfulness: Practice what you preach
12. Truthfulness beware of lying to children
13. Truthfulness urge to always speak the truth
14. Truthfulness is human nature and physiology
15. Truthfulnesstrain you with a no-excuse policy
16. Truthfulness realises that lying is bad for you
17. Truthfulness avoids supporting liars in their sin
18. Truthfulness emphasises this great type of manner
19. Truthfulness is a common part of human relationships
20. Truthfulness  is one of the excellences of human attitude

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 )

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 oneself 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 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)
• “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 by 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 words. 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 heart and limbs by 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.