الحمد لله رب العالمين و الصلوة و السلام علي نبيه الكريم
عن عبدالله ابن مسعود قال قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و سلم: عليكم بالصدق فإن الصدق يهدي الي البر و إن البر يهدي الي الجنة و ما يزال الرجل يصدق و يتحري الصدق حتي يكتب عند الله صديقا
(سنن الترمذي)
In the first chapter of his Sahih, Imam Bukhari (رحمة الله عليه) relates that before Heraculis asked Abu Sufyan about the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه و سلم) he told the other people who were with Abu Sufyan to call him out if he lied. Abu Sufyan, a non-muslim at the time, mentioned that if it was not for fear of being called a liar he would have lied. Remarking on this, the following is mentioned in Fathul Baari:
“This is proof that they considered lying abominable either because of the remnants of some previous Shari’a, or due to their culture.”
Allah Tala mentions in Surah Taubah:
ياأيها الذين آمنوا اتقوا الله و كونوا مع الصادقين
“Oh believers, have the taqwa of Allah and be with the truthful.” (Surah Taubah, Ayah: 119)
In Tafseer Ibn Kathir, while explaining this ayah, the author writes the following:
“Speak the truth, hold on to it, and be with people who are truthful; you will be saved from destruction, and a way out will be made for you in your affairs.”
In the fifth year of the Prophethood, some of the Muslims migrated to Abyssinia to escape the torture being inflicted on them by the polytheist of Makkah. A delegation of mushrikeen was sent after the Muslims to bring them back. This group bribed the ministers with gifts and then approached Najashi, entreating him to hand the Muslims over to them.
Najashi refused to do so, saying that he would not hand over people who had given preference to living with him without first speaking to them. Despite the dangers of doing so, the Muslims decided to tell Najashi the truth, not just the first time they were called, but also the second time when the delegation from Makkah brought up their beliefs concerning Prophet Esa (عليه السلام) in a disparaging way.
The end result was that Najashi welcomed them and testified that Nabi (صلي الله عليه و سلم) was the Messenger of Allah whom they found in the Injeel. He also proclaimed that he would not take a mountain of gold in exchange for causing harm to a single individual amongst the Muslims, and the delegation from Makkah was sent back empty handed, except for the bribes they brought which Najashi ordered be returned to them.
When three of the Ansaar didn’t go out in the Ghazwa of Tabuk they were boycotted for fifty days and the earth, despite its vastness, became narrow for them, and the paths were blocked for them. However, they were patient and remained firm until Allah opened a way out for them because they told the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه و سلم) the truth.
Abdullah Ibn Masud (رضى الله عنه) reports that the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه و سلم) said:
عليكم بالصدق فإن الصدق يهدي إلي البر و إن البر يهدي إلي الجنة
“Speak the truth because truthfulness leads to piety, and piety leads to Jannah.”
Ibnul Arabi (رحمة الله عليه) said: “He (صلي الله عليه و سلم) explained that truthfulness is the main thing that leads to righteousness in all its forms. This is because when a human being guards it, he will never commit an act of disobedience. If he wants to steal, commit adultery, fornicate, or harm anyone he will be afraid that someone will say, ‘You did so-and-so,’ and then if he keeps quiet, people will have doubts about him; If he denies it, he will have lied; If he admits it, he will be considered a faasiq, his status will drop, and the respect people have for him will go away.”
Jafar Ibn Sulaiman Adh-Dhubaiy (رحمة الله عليه) reports that once Malik Ibn Dinaar (رحمة الله عليه) said, “Telling the truth and lying wage war in the heart until one of them expels the other. The truth starts out weak like a fresh date palm tree that has only one shoot showing and if a child tramples it the entire root will be destroyed, or if an animal eats it the root will also be lost. Then it is watered and spreads until its roots become firm and deeply entrenched, it gives off shade that one can shelter under, and fruits that can be eaten.”
“This,” he said, “is the example of truth. It starts off in the heart as something weak. Its companion searches for it, and Allah increases it. Again its companion searches for it, and Allah increases it, until He blesses the individual with it and his speech becomes a balm for sinners.”
“Haven’t you seen them?” He asked, and replied to himself, “Indeed, I swear by Allah, we have seen them: Hasan Al-Basri, Saiyd Ibn Jubair (رحمة الله عليهما) and their like. By means of one man amongst them, Allah gives life to an entire group of people.”
Once Luqman (عليه السلام) was asked how he reached such a high and lofty status. In response he listed three things, the first of which was truthfulness in speech.
The hadith of Ibn Masud (رضى الله عنه) continues:
و ما يزال الرجل يصدق و يتحري الصدق حتي يكتب عند الله صديقا
“A man will continue being truthful (in his speech and actions), and making strenuous efforts to be truthful, until he is written down as a Siddiq (someone who is extremely truthful).”
The scholars mention that a notice is given in this hadith that such a person will have a good end. Furthermore, he will be deserving of the reward and status given to the Siddiqeen, just like a person who lies in abundance will be deserving of the punishment of the liars.
May Allah make us among his pious and truthful slaves. Ameen.
References:
Sunan Tirmidhi Vol: 2, P: 18
Sahih Bukhari Vol: 1, P: 4
Fathul Baari Vol: 1, P: 75
Surah Taubah, Ayah: 119
Tafseer Ibn Kathir Vol:4, P:2 33
Manifestations of Prophet Muhammad’s Beauty: The Hearts of Allah’s Saints P: 200
Seerah Ibn Ishaq P: 247-250
Subulul Huda War Rashaad Fi Seerati Khairul Ibaad, Vol: 2, P: 517-520
Awjazul Masaalik Vol: 17, P: 499, 501-502
Risaalatul Mustarshideen P: 122
Tuhfadhul Ahawdhi Vol: 6, P: 107
Takmilah Fathul Mulhim Vol.: 5, P: 325
