Eman Sakina

The religion of Islam puts great emphasis on upholding truth and justice under all circumstances, even against one’s loved ones. Let me share below some relevant verses of the Qur’an:

Friday Musings

“O ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (them ye are). So, follow not passion lest ye lapse (from the truth) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.” – Qur’an (4:135)

“O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is informed of what ye do.” – Qur’an (5:8)

“Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth.” – Qur’an (2:42)

Islam teaches that truthfulness is far more than having an honest tongue.  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.  As such, truthfulness is the very cornerstone of the upright Muslim’s character and the springboard for his virtuous deeds.

By practicing truthfulness, a person betters himself, his life is made upright and due to it, he is elevated to praiseworthy heights and raised in ranks in the sight of God as well as the people.  As the Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, related:

“I order you to be truthful, for indeed truthfulness leads to righteousness, and indeed righteousness leads to Paradise.  A man continues to be truthful and strives for truthfulness until he is written as a truthful person with God.  And beware of falsehood, for indeed falsehood leads to sinning, and indeed sinning leads to the Fire. (Sahih Muslim)

So, 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.  Ali ibn. Abi Talib, the cousin, and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad mentioned the positive reciprocal effect of behaving truthfully with people in this worldly life:

“Whoever does three things with regards to people, they will necessitate three things from him: whenever he speaks to them, he is truthful; whenever they entrust him with something he does not betray them; and whenever he promises them something he fulfills it.  If he does this, their hearts will love him; their tongues will praise him, and they will come to his aid.”

Hence, to tread the path of truthfulness is to tread the path of the most righteous of God’s creation.  And as for ways and means to engender this noblest of virtues into our daily lives, then we have been left an ocean of teachings from God’s Final Messenger to humanity, the Prophet Muhammad, detailing and describing precisely what the virtue, nay! the injunction of truthfulness requires.

May Allah enable us to speak truth to power and support those who already do.