How great and wonderful is that which Allaah praised our Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam with, when he says that which translates as: “And indeed you are of a great moral character” (Al-Qalam: 4). It is a fantastic indication of the importance of having honourable morals, as well a confirmation of their lofty rank in the great Islamic structure. High morals are the protecting fortress which Muslims seek security in and the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam pointed to its importance when he said: “I was sent to perfect honourable morals.” Truthfulness comes at the top of the list of morals and Allaah considered it to be the foundation for all principles. Truthfulness, besides being an honourable trait, is a necessity in all our public lives and perhaps it is the greatest gate to happiness of individuals as well as their entire communities. For example, when one wishes to make a purchase, they will look for a salesperson who is known for their honesty.

The most just and accurate scale of measuring a nation’s advancement is in the truthfulness of its people, whether in words or deeds. It is a major crisis when trust is lost and this occurs when people are dishonest in their dealings with one another. When this happens, lying spreads among the people – lying in words, deeds and intentions.

It is no surprise that Islamic law, or the Sharee’ah, opposes and prohibits lying and exalts truthfulness; it frequently mentions truthfulness as a pre-condition for piety. In fact, Allaah has decreed that truthfulness leads to piety, so whoever loses their truthfulness will in turn lose their piety. Allaah says that which translates as: “O you who have believed, fear Allaah and be with those who are true.” (At-Tawbah: 119).

Islaam considers truthfulness as the key to righteousness and lying as the key to evil, as the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. Lying leads to evil and evil leads to the Hellfire” Lying is an evil deception as the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “The greatest deception is to intentionally make your brother (in faith) believe something which you know to be false.” In fact, lying is one of the major signs of hypocrisy. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: When he speaks he lies, when he promises he is unfaithful and when he is entrusted he betrays”.

Moreover, lying cannot be a characteristic that a Muslim possesses as the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “A Muslim can have any characteristic except lying and betrayal” and when the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was asked whether a believer can lie or not he answered, “No”. This answer should terrify those who care for their religion and dignity provided that they have any faith and manhood in them in the first place.

Lying is cowardliness, degradation and a transgression of the boundaries of Allaah. The one who practices this evil act is deserving of the curse of Allaah and deprivation of His mercy. Allaah says that which translates as: “…And invoke the curse of Allaah upon the liars.” (Aal-‘Imraan: 61). A liar will never succeed in any aspect of their life, nor will they ever be guided to any good. Their cowardliness and failure will be exposed to all the people and that will result in their demise and frustration in all their affairs. This is the promise of Allaah to all those who lie. Allaah says that which translates as: “…Indeed, Allaah does not guide one who is a transgressor and a liar.” (Ghaafir: 28) and He also says that which translates as: “…And he has failed who fabricates.” (Taa Haa: 61).

Islaam prohibited lying – even in jest. Among the characteristics of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam is as one of his companions said “He joked but never said anything except the truth.” Once a woman came to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and asked him about Paradise, thereupon he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam replied: “Paradise will not be entered by old women” which made the woman to cry, thereupon the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam recited to her the verse in which Allaah says that which translates as: “Indeed, We have produced them [i.e., the women of Paradise] in a [new] creation. And made them virgins, Devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age.” (Al-Waaqi’ah: 35-37). This meant that when this woman enters paradise, she will not be old.

Although Islaam prohibits lying due to the harm that would result from it, we should know that it is permitted in certain restricted situations which bring more benefit than harm, such as lying to save an innocent soul from being killed, or deceiving the enemy during a war. Also, if one is aiming for reconciliation between Muslims, one my also resort to this. Finally, when a man talks to his wife to please her and bring peace and harmony between him and her, then this is permissible. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said, “All of the lies of the son of Aadam are recorded except during war, reconciliation between two Muslims and talking to his wife in order to please her”.

It was the strict adherence to these instructions that brought about a generation which history had never seen the like of. This generation left behind the finest examples for adhering to honourable morals. We have the story of Al-Hajjaaj (an oppressive Muslim leader), who was just about to execute some captives, when one of the captives stood up and said, “May Allaah guide you, O leader of the believers, I have a right upon you” Al-Hajaaj replied: “What is your right?” he said, “A man cursed you one day (in your absence) and I defended you” Al-Hajjaj asked: “Who can testify to this?” So another captive stood up and said: “I testify that this happened.” Thereupon, Al-Hajjaaj said to his guards: “Set the first captive free”, then turned to the witness and asked: “What prevented you from defending me like the other man did?” The witness replied: “I had an old grudge in my heart against you.” So Al-Hajjaaj said to his guards: “Set him free also, for his truthfulness.”

Thus, Muslims must be truthful, under in extremely difficult circumstances; they must realise that nothing except truthfulness will lead to their salvation, both in this life and the next.

Dear brothers! It is incumbent upon us that we all be truthful in our words and deeds. This is so that we can regain the complete trust of others, which would bring about security, love, happiness and social-stability. Parents and guardians must raise their children on truthfulness so that they grow up having strong morals such as honesty, chastity and chivalry. Let parents beware of lying to their children, even if it is only to silence them from crying or to calm them down, as this is getting them used to the most despicable action in the scale of Allaah. This is beside the fact that children will no longer trust their parent’s words or be affected by them.

To illustrate this point, ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Aamir, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that: “Once, when I was a child, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was at our home. I was outside playing and my mother called out: ‘O ‘Abdullaah, come here and I will give you something’ the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam asked: “What do you wish to give him?” she replied: ‘Dates’ he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “If you hadn’t have intended to give him anything, then it would have been recorded against you that you lied.”

Dear Muslim brothers! Beware of lying, even if it is only once, as this will open the door widely for further lying; He who lies once will lose his position and trust in the eyes of the people. Ziyaad, who was a governor of Iraaq, said in a speech: “The lies of a person will eventually become well-known. If you find out that I lied even once then you are free to disobey me; and If you hear that have I told a lie then be certain that I must have told other lies.”