The Importance of Truthfulness - Shaikh Rabī

The Importance of Truthfulness

﷽

All praise is due to Allāh, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allāh, his family, his companions, and those who follow his guidance.

To proceed:

Indeed, the virtue of truthfulness is one of the greatest pillars upon which both the religion and the worldly life are established. Neither the world nor religion can be sound based on lies, treachery, or deceit.

Truthfulness and belief are the firm bonds between the Messengers and those who believe in them. Allāh, the Most High, says:

وَٱلَّذِی جَاۤءَ بِٱلصِّدۡقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦۤ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ. لَهُم مَّا یَشَاۤءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ جَزَاۤءُ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِینَ

“And he (Muhammad) who has brought the truth (this Qur’ān and Islāmic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein (i.e. the true believers of Islāmic Monotheism), those are Al- Muttaqūn. They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord. That is the reward of Muhsinūn.”

[Al-Zumar: 33-34]

In contrast, Allāh also condemns falsehood and disbelief, saying:

فَمَنۡ أَظۡلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَبَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلصِّدۡقِ إِذۡ جَاۤءَهُۥۤۚ أَلَیۡسَ فِی جَهَنَّمَ مَثۡوࣰى لِّلۡكَـٰفِرِینَ

“Then, who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allāh, and denies the truth [this Qur’ān, the Prophet (Muhammad), the Islāmic Monotheism, the Resurrection and the reward or punishment according to good or evil deeds] when it comes to him! Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers?”

[Al-Zumar: 32]

Because of the great status of truthfulness and belief in the truth before Allāh, in Islām, and among rational people with sound nature, and because of the positive outcomes of these traits as well as the dangers of lying and denying the truth, I have written this article. It is derived from the Book of Allāh, the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and the lives of some of the truthful and sincere believers, including the Companions of the Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings be upon him.

I ask Allāh to assist me and guide me to offer beneficial advice and clarification to my Muslim brothers and to make us among those who are truthful, those who strive to adhere to and uphold it. I ask Him to make us among those who love the truth, seek to follow it, and believe in it wholeheartedly.

Allāh Himself described His Attribute as being truthful. He said:

قُلۡ صَدَقَ ٱللَّهُۗ فَٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مِلَّةَ إِبۡرَ ٰ⁠هِیمَ حَنِیفࣰاۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِینَ

“Say (O Muhammad): “Allāh has spoken the truth; follow the religion of Ibrahīm (Abraham) Hanīfa (Islāmic Monotheism, i.e. he used to worship Allāh Alone), and he was not of al-Mushrikūn.”

[Āl-Imrān: 95]

This is praise from Allāh for Himself, as He is truthful in all of His statements, in His speech, in His legislation, and in what He conveyed about the Prophets and their nations. He narrated to us about the People of Isrā'īl, their Prophets, the believers among them, the wicked ones, and those who disbelieved from among them. He told us about their distortion of the Torah and the Gospel and their taking of rabbis and monks as lords besides Allāh. Allāh also said:

وَمَنۡ أَصۡدَقُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حَدِیثࣰا

“And who is truer in statement than Allāh?”

[Al-Nisā’: 87]

And He said:

وَمَنۡ أَصۡدَقُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ قِیلࣰا

“And whose words can be truer than those of Allāh?”

[Al-Nisā’: 122]

Allāh also said:

وَمَاۤ أَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالࣰا نُّوحِیۤ إِلَیۡهِمۡۖ فَسۡـَٔلُوۤا۟ أَهۡلَ ٱلذِّكۡرِ إِن كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ. وَمَا جَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ جَسَدࣰا لَّا یَأۡكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ خَـٰلِدِینَ. ثُمَّ صَدَقۡنَـٰهُمُ ٱلۡوَعۡدَ فَأَنجَیۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَمَن نَّشَاۤءُ وَأَهۡلَكۡنَا ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِینَ

“And We sent not before you (O Muhammad) but men to whom We inspired, so ask the people of the Reminder [Scriptures – the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel)] if you do not know. And We did not create them (the Messengers, with) bodies that ate not food, nor were they immortals. Then We fulfilled to them the promise, and We saved them and those whom We willed, but We destroyed al-Musrifūn (i.e., extravagants in oppression, polytheism and in sin).”

[Al-Anbiyā’: 9]

And He said:

ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ جَزَیۡنَـٰهُم بِبَغۡیِهِمۡۖ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ

“Thus We recompensed them for their rebellion [committing crimes like murdering the Prophets, eating of Riba (usury), etc.]. And verily, We are Truthful.”

[Al-An’ām: 146]

In this way, Allāh described Himself with this magnificent Attribute of truthfulness in speech, actions, promises, warnings, and in His reports about His Prophets, the believers, and the disbelievers.

Allāh described His Prophets with truthfulness and supported them with miracles and great signs, proving the completeness of their truthfulness and refuting the lies of their enemies. Among the greatest signs of support He gave them was the destruction of their enemies, some by a flood, others by a fierce wind, some by a scream, some by an earthquake, and others by being swallowed by the earth or drowned. This destruction of their enemies, alongside the salvation of the Prophets and their followers, is a testimony from the Lord of all the worlds to the truthfulness of His Prophets and the authenticity of their messages.

Among those whom Allāh described as truthful in the Qur’ān are:

1.      Ibrahīm (Abraham), peace be upon him: Allāh says:

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِی ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِبۡرَ ٰ⁠هِیمَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّیقࣰا نَّبِیًّا

“And mention in the Book (the Qur'ān) Ibrahim (Abraham). Verily! He was a man of truth, a Prophet.”

[Maryam: 41]

2.      Ismā’īl (Ishmael), peace be upon him: Allāh says:

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِی ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِسۡمَـٰعِیلَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلۡوَعۡدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولࣰا نَّبِیࣰّا

“And mention in the Book (the Qur'ān) Ismā'īl (Ishmael). Verily! He was true to what he promised, and he was a Messenger, (and) a Prophet.”

[Maryam: 54]

3.      Idrīs (Enoch), peace be upon him: Allāh says:

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِی ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِدۡرِیسَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّیقࣰا نَّبِیࣰّا

“And mention in the Book (the Qur’ān) Idrīs (Enoch). Verily! He was a man of truth, (and) a Prophet.”

[Maryam: 56]

This description of truthfulness emphasises their commitment to truth in their words, deeds, promises, and covenants. The title “Siddīq” (truthful one) indicates their firm adherence to truth in all aspects of their lives.

Every verse in the Qur’ān, the miraculous Book that challenges mankind and jinn to produce even a chapter like it, stands as the greatest proof of the truthfulness of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It is the testimony of Allāh that he is indeed the Seal of the Prophets and a conclusive sign of his truthfulness. None who claimed Prophet-hood after him was successful; Allāh exposed and humiliated all who falsely claimed to be Prophets after him. Furthermore, those who lied about the Prophet or falsely attributed something to him were always exposed by Allāh through the clarity and precision of the followers of his message.

Allāh praised His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and the truth that he came with, saying:

بَلۡ جَاۤءَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَصَدَّقَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِینَ

“Nay! He (Muhammad) has come with the truth and he confirms the Messengers.”

[Al-Sāffāt: 37]

This is the highest form of testimony from Allāh to His Messenger’s truthfulness and the validity of the message he brought.

Allāh also praised His truthful servants, those who were sincere in their faith and fulfilled their promises and commitments. He says:

لَّیۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡیَوۡمِ ٱلۡـَٔاخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰۤىِٕكَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِیِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِی ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡیَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِینَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِیلِ وَٱلسَّاۤىِٕلِینَ وَفِی ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ إِذَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ۖ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِینَ فِی ٱلۡبَأۡسَاۤءِ وَٱلضَّرَّاۤءِ وَحِینَ ٱلۡبَأۡسِۗ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ ٱلَّذِینَ صَدَقُوا۟ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ

“It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, and each and every act of obedience to Allāh, etc.) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allāh, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masakīn (the poor), and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and gives the Zakat, and who fulfil their covenant when they make it, and who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.) in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqūn”

[Al-Baqarah: 177]

And He says about the believers among the Companions:

مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ رِجَالࣱ صَدَقُوا۟ مَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَیۡهِۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحۡبَهُۥ وَمِنۡهُم مَّن یَنتَظِرُۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا۟ تَبۡدِیلࣰا

“Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allāh [i.e. they have gone out for Jihad (holy fighting), and showed not their backs to the disbelievers], of them some have fulfilled their obligations (i.e. have been martyred), and some of them are still waiting, but they have never changed [i.e. they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allāh] in the least.”

[Al-Ahzāb: 23]

In this context, I would like to highlight the famous story of the great Companion Ka’b ibn Mālik, who was saved from the fire, hypocrisy, and the displeasure of Allāh and His Messenger through his truthfulness. His story is well-known and lengthy, so I will select parts from it that illustrate the value of truthfulness and the lessons we can draw from it.

Ka’b ibn Mālik said:

“I never stayed behind from any expedition that the Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) went on, except the expedition to Tabūk. However, I also stayed behind from the battle of Badr, but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not blame anyone for staying behind, as he was only pursuing a caravan of Quraysh. And Allāh brought them together with their enemy unexpectedly.

I was present with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on the night of ‘Aqabah, when we pledged our allegiance to Islām, and I would not exchange that night for Badr, even though Badr is more famous among the people.

As for my story when I stayed behind during the expedition to Tabūk, I had never been stronger nor wealthier than at that time. Before that, I had never owned two riding animals, but on this occasion, I had two. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went on this expedition in extremely hot weather, facing a long journey through a barren desert, and against a large enemy. The situation was clear, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made his intentions known to the Muslims so that they could prepare themselves properly. The Muslims who accompanied the Prophet were many, but they were not recorded in a register.”

Ka’b continued: ‘Any man who wanted to be absent assumed that the matter would be concealed unless Allāh revealed it through divine revelation. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) set out on this expedition at a time when the fruit was ripening and the shade was pleasant. I preferred staying behind in the shade, and I would say to myself: ‘I can do that later.’ This continued until the people were ready to depart, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Muslims set out early in the morning. I had still not prepared anything. I went out in the morning and returned without having done anything. I would say to myself: ‘I have the means to prepare myself quickly.’ But this continued until the army had advanced far beyond me. Then I thought about going after them, but it was too late.

After the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had departed, I began to walk among the people and became distressed when I saw that the only ones left behind were people who were known for their hypocrisy or those who were weak and excused by Allāh. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not mention me until he reached Tabūk. While sitting with his companions, he asked: ‘Where is Ka’b ibn Mālik?’ A man from Banū Salamah said: ‘O Messenger of Allāh, he has been held back by his two cloaks and admiration for himself.’ Mu’ādh ibn Jabal (may Allāh be pleased with him) replied: ‘What an evil thing you have said! By Allāh, O Messenger of Allāh, we know nothing but good about him.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent.

When I heard that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was on his way back from Tabūk, I was overwhelmed by anxiety and began to consider fabricating an excuse. I said to myself: ‘How can I avoid the anger of the Messenger of Allāh tomorrow?’ I sought the advice of my family, and when the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived, I decided to tell the truth. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madīnah and went to the mosque, as was his habit after returning from a journey. He performed two rak’ahs of prayer and sat down. The hypocrites who had stayed behind approached him, making excuses, swearing oaths. They were about eighty men, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted their excuses, took their pledges of allegiance, and asked for forgiveness for them, leaving their true intentions to Allāh.

Then I approached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When I greeted him, he smiled a smile of anger and said: ‘Come forward.’ I walked forward and sat before him. He said to me: ‘What kept you back? Did you not purchase a mount?’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allāh, by Allāh, if I were sitting before anyone in the world other than you, I would think I could escape his wrath with an excuse, for I have been endowed with the skill of argument. But by Allāh, I know that if I were to tell you a lie today to win your favour, Allāh would soon make you angry with me. However, if I tell you the truth, even though you may be angry with me, I hope for Allāh’s pardon. By Allāh, I had no excuse. By Allāh, I was never stronger or wealthier than when I stayed behind.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘As for this man, he has spoken the truth. So stand until Allāh decides concerning you.’ I stood up, and some men from Banū Salamah followed me, reprimanding me, saying: ‘By Allāh, we do not know of any sin you committed before this. Could you not have made an excuse to the Prophet like the others who stayed behind?’ They continued to blame me until I thought about going back to the Prophet to retract my confession. Then I said to them: ‘Has anyone else faced this situation?’ They said: ‘Yes, two men did the same as you did, and they were given the same response as you.’ I asked: ‘Who are they?’ They replied: ‘Murārah ibn Rabī’ah and Hilāl ibn Umayyah.’ These were two righteous men who had been present at the Battle of Badr and had set an example for me.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the people to avoid us, and they did so for fifty days. My two companions remained in their homes, crying, but I was younger and stronger, so I would go out and attend the prayers, walk in the markets, but no one would speak to me. I would approach the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) after the prayer and greet him. I would say to myself: ‘Did he move his lips in response?’ I would pray near him, watching him surreptitiously. When I was occupied with prayer, he would glance at me, but when I looked in his direction, he would turn away. This continued until I was walking in the market one day and a Christian from the Ghassānids approached me. He had a letter from the king of Ghassān, and it read: ‘We have heard that your companion has treated you unjustly. Allāh has not created you to live in a land of humiliation and loss, so come to us, and we will grant you ease.’ I said to myself, ‘This is another trial,’ so I took the letter and threw it into the oven, burning it.

After forty days had passed, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent someone to tell us that we were to stay away from our wives. I said to my wife: ‘Go to your family and stay with them until Allāh decides regarding this matter.’ Hilāl’s wife went to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allāh, Hiiāl is an old man and has no servant. Will you allow me to serve him?’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Yes, but do not let him come near you.’ She said, ‘By Allāh, he has no desire for anything, for he has been crying since this matter began.’

Ka’b bin Malik continues:

“On the fiftieth night, after the morning prayer, while I was sitting on the roof of one of our houses, feeling as if the earth, despite its vastness, had become narrow for me, I heard someone shouting from the top of Mount Sal’: ‘O Ka’b ibn Mālik, rejoice!’ I immediately prostrated in gratitude, realising that relief had come. The Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him) had announced to the people that Allāh had accepted our repentance after the morning prayer. The people came to give us the good news. One man rode on his horse to bring me the news, while another hurried on foot to reach me faster. The voice reached me before the horseman. When the one whose voice I had heard came to me, I gave him my two garments as a reward for his good news, even though I had no other clothes. I borrowed two garments, put them on, and went to meet the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him). People were coming toward me in groups, congratulating me on Allāh’s acceptance of my repentance, saying, ‘Congratulations on Allāh’s acceptance of your repentance.’

When I entered the mosque, I found the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him) sitting with the people around him. Talhah ibn Ubaydullah (may Allāh be pleased with him) stood up and rushed toward me to shake my hand and congratulate me. By Allāh, no one else from among the Muhajirūn stood up for me except him, and I will never forget that act of kindness from Talhah.

When I greeted the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him), his face was radiant with joy. He said: ‘Rejoice with the best day you have ever had since your mother gave birth to you!’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allāh, is this from you or from Allāh?’ He said: ‘No, it is from Allāh.’ When I sat down before him, I said: ‘O Messenger of Allāh, as part of my repentance, I will give up all my wealth as charity for the sake of Allāh and His Messenger.’ The Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Keep some of your wealth, for that is better for you.’ I replied: ‘I will keep my share from Khaybar.’

I continued: ‘O Messenger of Allāh, Allāh has saved me through truthfulness, and as part of my repentance, I will only speak the truth for the rest of my life.’ By Allāh, I do not know of any other Muslim whom Allāh has tested with truthfulness more than He has tested me. From the day I made that statement to the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him), until this very moment, I have never intentionally told a lie. I hope that Allāh will protect me from lying for the rest of my life.

And Allāh revealed the following verses regarding us:

لَّقَد تَّابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِیِّ وَٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِینَ وَٱلۡأَنصَارِ ٱلَّذِینَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ فِی سَاعَةِ ٱلۡعُسۡرَةِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا كَادَ یَزِیغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِیقࣲ مِّنۡهُمۡ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَیۡهِمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِهِمۡ رَءُوفࣱ رَّحِیمࣱ. وَعَلَى ٱلثَّلَـٰثَةِ ٱلَّذِینَ خُلِّفُوا۟ حَتَّىٰۤ إِذَا ضَاقَتۡ عَلَیۡهِمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتۡ وَضَاقَتۡ عَلَیۡهِمۡ أَنفُسُهُمۡ وَظَنُّوۤا۟ أَن لَّا مَلۡجَأَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّاۤ إِلَیۡهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَیۡهِمۡ لِیَتُوبُوۤا۟ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِیمُ

“Allāh has forgiven the Prophet, the Muhajirūn (Muslim emigrants who left their homes and came to Al-Madīnah) and the Ansār (Muslims of AlAnsāīnah) who followed him (Muhammad) in the time of distress (Tabūk expedition, etc.), after the hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of Kindness, Most Merciful. And (He did forgive also) the three [who did not join the Tabuk expedition (whom the Prophet)] left (i.e. he did not give his judgement in their case, and their case was suspended for Allāh’s Decision) till for them the earth, vast as it is, was straitened and their ownselves were straitened to them, and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allāh, and no refuge but with Him. Then, He accepted their repentance, that they might repent (unto Him). Verily, Allāh is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.”

[Al-Tawbah: 117-118]

Ka’b said: ‘By Allāh, after guiding me to Islām, Allāh has never bestowed upon me a greater blessing than my truthfulness to the Messenger of Allāh (ppeaceand blessings be upon him) on that day. Had I lied, I would have been destroyed as those who lied were destroyed.” End of hadīth.

Allāh describes the punishment for those who lied in the Qur’ān when He revealed:

سَیَحۡلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَكُمۡ إِذَا ٱنقَلَبۡتُمۡ إِلَیۡهِمۡ لِتُعۡرِضُوا۟ عَنۡهُمۡۖ فَأَعۡرِضُوا۟ عَنۡهُمۡۖ إِنَّهُمۡ رِجۡسࣱۖ وَمَأۡوَىٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُ جَزَاۤءَۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ یَكۡسِبُونَ. یَحۡلِفُونَ لَكُمۡ لِتَرۡضَوۡا۟ عَنۡهُمۡۖ فَإِن تَرۡضَوۡا۟ عَنۡهُمۡ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا یَرۡضَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقِینَ

“They will swear by Allāh to you (Muslims) when you return to them, that you may turn away from them. So, turn away from them. Surely, they are Rijsun [i.e. Najasun (impure) because of their evil deeds], and Hell is their dwelling place, - a recompense for that which they used to earn. They (the hypocrites) swear to you (Muslims) that you may be pleased with them, but if you are pleased with them, certainly Allāh is not pleased with the people who are Al-Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allāh).”

[Al-Tawbah: 95-96]

This is the outcome of those who fabricate excuses and lie, seeking to please others with falsehoods. Neither the intercession of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) nor his seeking forgiveness for them could save them from the wrath of Allāh, either during their lifetime or after their death. Allāh revealed regarding them:

ٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ أَوۡ لَا تَسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ إِن تَسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ سَبۡعِینَ مَرَّةࣰ فَلَن یَغۡفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا یَهۡدِی ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقِینَ

“Whether you (O Muhammad) ask forgiveness for them (hypocrites) or ask not forgiveness for them, (and even) if you ask seventy times for their forgiveness. Allāh will not forgive them, because they have disbelieved in Allāh and His Messenger (Muhammad). And Allāh guides not those people who are Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allāh).”

[Al-Tawbah: 80]

This verse contains a great lesson for those who believe that lying and deception can bring them leniency or forgiveness. They mistakenly think that lying will save them, but instead, it leads to humiliation and destruction in both this world and the Hereafter.

Ka’b’s story serves as an immense source of guidance and glad tidings for the sincere believers who hold firm to the truth, both in their faith and in their actions. It shows the great reward for truthfulness, particularly in times when weak-hearted individuals might be tempted to lie. Allāh said:

قَالَ ٱللَّهُ هَـٰذَا یَوۡمُ یَنفَعُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِینَ صِدۡقُهُمۡۚ لَهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتࣱ تَجۡرِی مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِینَ فِیهَاۤ أَبَدࣰاۖ رَّضِیَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنۡهُۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِیمُ

“Allāh will say: “This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise) – they shall abide therein forever. Allāh is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success (Paradise).”

[Al-Mā’idah: 119]

The fruits of truthfulness include guidance to righteousness and entrance into Paradise. As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Indeed, truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A person will continue to speak the truth and seek the truth until he is recorded with Allāh as a truthful one (Siddīq).”

[Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

This Day, the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness, as Allāh mentions in the Qur’ān:

قَالَ ٱللَّهُ هَـٰذَا یَوۡمُ یَنفَعُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِینَ صِدۡقُهُمۡۚ لَهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتࣱ تَجۡرِی مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِینَ فِیهَاۤ أَبَدࣰاۖ رَّضِیَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنۡهُۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِیمُ

“Allāh will say: “This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise) – they shall abide therein forever. Allāh is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success (Paradise).”

[Al-Mā’idah: 119]

This is a clear manifestation of the immense value of truthfulness on the Day of Judgment, when its fruits become evident. The truthful ones will inherit the highest stations of Paradise, living eternally in the pleasure and satisfaction of Allāh, the Most High.

From the Fruits of Truthfulness

In the two Sahīhs (of al-Bukhārī and Muslim), it is reported from Talhah ibn Ubaydullah (may Allāh be pleased with him) that:

“A man from the people of Najd, with dishevelled hair, came to the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him). We heard his loud voice but could not understand what he was saying, until he came near the Prophet. He was asking about Islām. The Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: ‘Five daily prayers in the day and night.’ The man asked: ‘Do I have to offer anything besides these?’ The Prophet replied: ‘No, unless you want to offer voluntary prayers.’ The Prophet then said: ‘And fasting during the month of Ramadan.’ The man asked: ‘Do I have to do anything besides this?’ The Prophet replied: ‘No, unless you want to do extra fasts voluntarily.’ The Prophet then mentioned Zakah (obligatory charity). The man asked: ‘Do I have to give anything beyond this?’ The Prophet replied: ‘No, unless you give voluntarily.’ The man then turned and left, saying: ‘By Allāh, I will neither add anything to this nor decrease from it.’ The Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘He has succeeded if he is truthful.”

[Al-Bukhārī and Muslim]

Similarly, it is reported in Sahīh Muslim from Anas ibn Malik (may Allāh be pleased with him):

“A man from the Bedouins came to the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: ‘O Muhammad, your messenger came to us and told us that you claim Allāh has sent you.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: ‘Yes.’ The man asked: ‘Who created the heavens?’ The Prophet replied: ‘Allāh.’ The man then asked: ‘Who created the earth?’ The Prophet replied: ‘Allāh.’ The man asked: ‘Who set the mountains in place and made them firm?’ The Prophet replied: ‘Allāh.’ The man said: ‘By the One who created the heavens, the earth, and the mountains, is it Allāh who sent you?’ The Prophet replied: ‘Yes.’ The man asked: ‘Your messenger told us that we must perform five daily prayers; is this true?’ The Prophet replied: ‘Yes.’ The man asked, ‘Is there anything else I must do?’ The Prophet replied: ‘No, unless you voluntarily do more.’ The man asked: ‘Your messenger also told us that we must fast in the month of Ramadan; is this true?’ The Prophet replied: ‘Yes.’ The man asked, ‘Is there anything else I must do?’ The Prophet replied: ‘No, unless you voluntarily do more.’ The man asked: ‘Your messenger also told us that we must give Zakah; is this true?’ The Prophet replied: ‘Yes.’ The man asked, ‘Is there anything else I must do?’ The Prophet replied: ‘No, unless you voluntarily do more.’ The man then turned and said, ‘By Allāh, I will neither increase nor decrease from this.’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘He has succeeded if he is truthful.”

[Muslim]

Thus, truthfulness is a fundamental pillar of success in this world and the Hereafter. The story of the Bedouin man illustrates the simplicity and clarity of Islām’s obligations, and the importance of adhering to them truthfully without overstepping or neglecting them.

The fruits of truthfulness are numerous. They include attaining righteousness, entering Paradise, earning Allāh’s pleasure, and being recorded as a “Siddīq” (a truthful one). Truthfulness also guides the believer to fear Allāh in all matters, remain steadfast in times of trial, and avoid hypocrisy and deceit.

The ultimate reward for truthfulness is the eternal joy and satisfaction of Allāh in the Hereafter. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) described this great reward in a hadīth reported by Abu Sa’īd al-Khudrī (may Allāh be pleased with him):

“Verily, Allāh will say to the people of Paradise: ‘O people of Paradise!’ They will respond: ‘We are at Your service, O our Lord.’ Allāh will ask: ‘Are you pleased?’ They will reply: ‘How could we not be pleased, O our Lord, when You have given us what You have not given to any of Your creation?’ Allāh will then say: ‘Shall I not give you something even better than that?’ They will ask: ‘O our Lord, what could be better than this?’ Allāh will say: ‘I bestow upon you My pleasure, and I will never be angry with you after this.”

[Al-Bukhārī and Muslim]

This is the ultimate and eternal fruit of truthfulness: the pleasure of Allāh and His eternal contentment, free from any displeasure or anger. This is the highest reward that the truthful will attain, in addition to their place in Paradise.

May Allāh make us among those who are truthful, those who love truthfulness, and those who strive to adhere to it in all aspects of our lives. May He grant us His eternal pleasure and admit us to Paradise, where we will live forever in His grace and contentment.

Written by the humble servant in need of Allāh’s mercy and forgiveness:

Rabī’ ibn Hādī al-Madhkhalī

(Translated by Abu Eesa Akmal)