الصدق the truth
محمد مرسى
1436/12/27 - 2015/10/10 17:31PM
الصدق
إن الله خلق السموات والأرض بالحق ٬ وطلب إلى الناس أن يبنوا حياتهم على الحق ٬ فلا
يقولوا إلا حقا ولا يعملوا إلا حقا. وحيرة البشر وشقوتهم ٬ ترجع إلى ذهولهم عن هذا الأصل الواضح ٬
وإلى تسلط أكاذيب وأوهام على أنفسهم وأفكارهم ٬ أبعدتهم عن الصراط المستقيم ٬ وشردت بهم
عن الحقائق التى لابد من التزامها. ومن هنا كان الاستمساك بالصدق فى كل شأن ٬ وتحريه فى
كل قضية ٬ والمصير إليه فى كل حكم ٬ دعاية ركينة فى خلق المسلم ٬ وصبغة ثابتة فى سلوكه ٬
وكذلك كان بناء المجتمع فى الإسلام قائما على محاربة الظنون ٬ ونبذ الإشاعات واطراح الريب ٬ فإن
الحقائق الراسخة وحدها هى التى يجب أن تظهر وتغلب ٬ وأن تُعتمد فى إقرار العلاقات المختلفة.
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم “إياكم والظن فإن الظن أكذب الحديث “ . وقال: “دع ما
يريبك إلى ما لا يريبك ٬ فإن الصدق طمأنينة ٬ والكذب ريبة" . وقد نعى القرآن على أقوام تجريهم وراء
الظنون التى ملأت عقولهم بالخرافات ٬ وأفسدت حاضرهم ومستقبلهم بالأكاذيب فقال: “إن يتبعون
إلا الظن وما تهوى الأنفس ولقد جاءهم من ربهم الهدى". وقال: “وما لهم به من علم إن يتبعون إلا
الظن وإن الظن لا يغني من الحق شيئا". والإسلام لاحترامه الشديد للحق طارد الكاذبين ٬
وشدد عليهم بالنكير. عن عائشة أم المؤمنين قالت: “ما كان من خلق أبغض إلى رسول الله
صلى الله عليه وسلم من الكذب ٬ ما اطلع على أحد من ذلك فيخرج من قلبه حتى يعلم أنه قد
أحدث توبة". وفى رواية عنها: “ما كان من خلق أبغض إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من
الكذب ٬ ولقد كان الرجل يكذب عنده الكذبة ٬ فما يزال فى نفسه حتى يعلم أنه قد أحدث فيها توبة".
ولا غرو فلقد كان السلف الصالح يتلاقون على الفضائل ويتعارفون بها ٬ فإذا أساء أحد السيرة وحاول
أن ينفرد بمسلك خاطئ ٬ بدا بعمله هذا كالأجرب بين الأصحاء ٬ فلا طيب له مقام بينهم حتى يبرأ
من علته. وكانت المعالم الأولى للجماعة المسلمة صدق الحديث ٬ ودقة الأداء ٬ وضبط الكلام. أما
الكذب والإخلاف ٬ والتدليس والافتراء ٬ فهى أمارات النفاق ٬ وانقطاع الصلة بالدين ٬ أو هى اتصال
بالدين على أسلوب المدلسين والمفترين! أى على أسلوب الكذابين فى مخالفة الواقع. والكذب
رذيلة محضة تنبئ عن تغلغل الفساد فى نفس صاحبها ٬ وعن سلوك ينشىء الشر إنشاء ٬ ويندفع
إلى الإثم من غير ضرورة مزعجة ٬ أو طبيعية قاهرة. هناك رذائل يلتاث بها الإنسان ٬ تشبه الأمراض
التى تعرض للبدن ٬ ولا يصح منها إلا بعد علاج طويل ٬ كالخوف الذى يتلعثم به الهيابون ٬ أو الحرص
الذى تنقبض به الأيدى. إن بعض الناس إذا جُنِّد للجهاد المفروض ٬ تقدم إليه وجلده مقشعر ٬ وإن
بعضهم إذا استخرجت منه الزكاة الواجبة ٬ أخذ يعدها وأصابعه تُرْعش ٬ وهذه الطباع التى تتأئر
بالجبن أو بالبخل ٬ غير الطباع التى تُقبل على الموت فى نزق ٬ وتبعثر المال بغير حساب. وقد تكون
هناك أعذار لمن يشعرون بوساوس الحرص أو الخوف ٬ عندما يوقفون فى ميادين التضحية والفداء!!
ولكنه لا عذر البتة لمن يتخذون الكذب خلقا ويعيشون به على خديعة الناس. قال رسول الله صلى
الله عليه وسلم : “ يُطبع المؤمن على الخلال كلها ٬ إلا الخيانة والكذب “ . وسئل رسول الله
صلى الله عليه وسلم : “أيكون المؤمن جبانا؟ قال: نعم! قيل له: أيكون المؤمن بخيلا؟ قال: نعم!
قيل له: أيكون المؤمن كذابا؟ قال: لا. “ ..
وهذه الإجابات تشير إلى ما أسلفنا بيانه ٬ من نوازع الضعف والنقص التى تخامر بعض الناس ثم
يتغلبون عليها بعد لأى ٬ عندما يواجهون بالفريضة المحكمة أو الضريبة الحاسمة ٬ وهى لا تعنى أبدا
تسويغ البخل ٬ أو تهوين الجبن كيف؟ ومنع الزكاة وترك الجهاد بابان إلى الكفران؟؟. وكلما اتسع
نطاق الضرر إثر كذبة يشيعها أفاك جرىء كان الوزر عند الله أعظم ٬ فالصحافى الذى ينشر على
الألوف خبرا باطلا ٬ والسياسى الذى يعطى الناس صورا مقلوبة عن المسائل الكبرى ٬ وذو الغرض
الذى يتعمد سوق التهم إلى الكبراء من الرجال والنساء ٬ أولئك يرتكبون جرائم أشق على أصحابها
وأسوأ عاقبة. قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : “رأيت الليلة رجلين أتيانى ٬ قالا لى: الذى رأيته
يُشق شدقه فكذاب يكون الكذبة فتُحمل عنه حتى تبلغ الآفاق ٬ فيصنع به هكذا إلى يوم القيامة" .
ومن هذا القبيل كذب الحكام على الشعوب ٬ فإن كذبة المنبر بلْقاء مشهورة. وفى الحديث: “ثلاثة
لا يدخلون الجنة : الشيخ الزانى ٬ والإمام الكذاب ٬ والعائل المزهو" الفقير المتكبر . والكذب على
دين الله من أقبح المنكرات ٬ وأول ذلك نسبة شىء إلى الله أو إلى رسوله لم يقله. وهذا الضرب من
الافتراء فاحش فى حقيقته ٬ وخيم فى نتيجته. قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “إن كذبا
علىَّ ليس ككذب على أحد؟ فمن كذب علىَّ متعمدا فليتبوأ مقعده من النار “ ويدخل فى نطاق
هذا الافتراء ٬ سائر ما ابتدعه الجُهال ٬ وأقحموه على دين الله من مُحدثات لا أصل لها ٬ عدها العوام
دينا ٬ وما هى بدين ٬ ولكنها لهو ولعب! وقد نبه النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم أمته إلى مصادر هذه
البدع المنكرة ٬ وحذر من الانقياد إلى تيارها ٬ ومسَّك المسلمين بآى كتابهم وسنة سلفهم قال:
“يكن فى آخر أمتى أناس دجالون كذابون يُحدثونكم بما لم تسمعوا أنتم ولا آباؤكم! فإياكم وإياهم ٬
لا يُضلونكم ولا يفتنونكم
والإسلام يوصى أن تُغرس فضيلة الصدق فى نفوس الأطفال ٬ حتى يشبوا عليها ٬ وقد ألفوها فى
أقوالهم وأحوالهم كلها. فعن عبد الله بن عامر قال: دعتنى أمى يوما ورسول الله صلى الله عليه
وسلم قاعد فى بيتنا ٬ فقالت: تعال أعطك ٬ فقال لها صلى الله عليه وسلم "ما أردت أن تُعطيه؟
“ قالت : أردتُ أن أعطيه تمرا فقال لها: “أما إنك لو لك تُعطه شيئا كُتبت عليك كذبة" !!. وعن أبى
هريرة عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال : “من قال لصبى : تعال ٬ هاك ثم لم يعطه
فهى كذبة" . فانظر كيف يُعلَّم الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم الأمهات والآباء أن يُنشئوا أولادهم
تنشئة يقدسون فيها الصدق ٬ ويتنرهون عن الكذب ٬ ولو أنه تجاوز عن هذه الأمور وحسبها من
التوافه الهينة لخشي أن يكبر الأطفال ٬ وهم يعتبرون الكذب ذنبا صغيرا وهو عند الله عظيم. وقد
مشت الصرامة فى تحرى الحق ٬ ورعاية الصدق ٬ حتى تناولت الشئون المنزلية الصغيرة. عن أسماء
بنت يزيد قالت : يا رسول الله ٬ إن قالت إحدانا لشىء تشتهيه : لا أشتهيه. يُعد ذلك كذبا؟ قال: “إن
الكذب يكتب كذبا حتى تكتب الكذيبة كذيبة" . وقد أحصى الشارع مزالق الكذب ٬ وأوضح سوء
عقباها ٬ حتى لا يبقى لأحد منفذ إلى الشرود عن الحقيقة ٬ أو الاستهانة بتقريرها. فالمرء قد
يستسهل الكذب حين يمزح!! حاسبا أن مجال اللهو لا حظر فيه على إخبار أو اختلاق ٬ ولكن
الإسلام الذى أباح الترويح عن القلوب لم يرض وسيلة لذلك إلا فى حدود الصدق المحض ؛ فإن فى
الحلال مندوحة عن الحرام ٬ وفى الحق غناء عن الباطل. قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم :
“ويل للذى يحدث بالحديث ليُضحك منه القوم فيكذب ٬ ويل له ٬ ويل له. “
وقال: “أنا زعيم ببيت فى وسط الجنة ٬ لمن ترك الكذب وإن كان مازحا". وقال: “لا يؤمن العبد
الإيمان كله ٬ حتى يترك الكذب فى المُزاح والمراء ٬ وأن كان صادقا" والمشاهد أن الناس يطلقون
العنان لأخيلتهم فى تلفيق الأضاحيك ٬ ولا يُحسون حرجا فى إدارة أحاديث مفتراة على ألسنة
خصومهم أو أصدقائهم ليتندروا بها أو يسخروا منهم وقد حرَّم الدين هذا المسلك تحريما تاماً ٬ إذ
الحق أن اللهو بالكذب ٬ كثيرا ما ينتهى إلى أحزان وعداوات. وتمدُّ الناس مدرجة إلى كذب ٬
والمسلم يجب أن يحاذر حينما يُثنى على غيره فلا يذكر إلا ما لا يعلم من خير ٬ ولا يجنح إلى
المبالغة فى تضخيم الحامد وطى المثالب. ومهما كان الممدوح جديرا بالثناء فإن المبالغة فى
إطرائه ضرب من الكذب المحرم. وقد قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لمادحيه : “لا تطرونى
كما أطرت النصارى ابن مريم! فإنما أنا عبد . فقولوا: عبد الله ورسوله “ . وهناك فريق من الناس
يتخذ المدائح الفارغة بضاعة يتملق بها الأكابر ويصوغ من الشعر القصائد المطولة ٬ ومن النثر الخطب
المرسلة ٬ فيكيل الثناء جزافا ويهرف بما لا يعرف ٬ وربما وصف بالعدالة الحكام الجائرين ٬ ووصف
بالشجاعة الأغبياء الخوارين ٬ ابتغاء عرض من الدنيا عند هؤلاء وأولئك. هذا الصنف من الأذناب
الكذبة ٬ أوصى الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم بمطاردتهم ٬ حتى يرجعوا من تزويرهم ٬ بوجوه
عفرها الخزى والحرمان. عن أبى هريرة قال: “أمرنا رسول الله أن نحثوا فى وجوه المداحين التراب “
. وقد ذكر شراح الحديث ٬ أن المداحين المعنيين هنا “هم الذين اتخذوا مدح الناس عادة ٬ يستأكلون
به الممدوح ٬ فأما من مدح على الأمر الحسن والفعل المحمود ترغيبا فى أمثاله ٬ وتحريضا للناس
على الاقتداء به فليس بمداح.“
والحدود التى يقف عندها المسلم ٬ ويخرج بها من تبعة الملق والمبالغة ٬ وينفع بها ممدوحه ٬ فلا
يُزله إلى العجب والكبرياء ٬ قد بينها النبى الحكيم. ف عن أبى بكرة قال: أثنى رجل على رجل عند
رسول الله ٬ فقال له: “ويحك قطعت عنق صاحبك قالها ثلاثا ثم قال: من كان مادحا أخاه لا محالة
فليقل: أحسب فلانا والله حسيبه ولا يُزكى على الله أحدٌ أحسب فلانا كذا وكذا ٬ إن كان يعلم
ذلك منه “ . والتاجر قد يكذب فى بيان سلعته وعرض ثمنها ٬ والتجارات عندنا تقوم على الطمع
البالغ: البائع يريد الغلو ٬ والشارى يريد البخس ٬ والأثرة هى التى تسود حركات التبادل فى الأسواق
والمحال. وقد كره الإسلام هذه المعاملة الجشعة ٬ وما يشوبها من لغو ومراء. قال رسول الله:
“البيعان بالخيار ما لم يتفرقا ٬ فإن صدق البيعان وبينا بورك لهما فى بيعهما ٬ وإن كذبا وكتما فعسى
أن يربحا ربحا ما ٬ ويمحق بركة بيعها" وفى رواية: مُحقت بركة بيعهما.. اليمين الفاجرة منفقة
للسلعة ممحقة للكذب “. ومن المشترين رجال يُقبلون على الباعة وهم قليلو الخبرة ٬ سريعو
التصديق لما يقال لهم ٬ فمن الإيمان ألا تُستغل سذاجتهم فى كسب مُضاعف أو تغطية عيْب. قال
رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “كبُرَت خيانة أن تحدِّث أخاك حديثا ٬ هو لك مُصدِّق ٬ وأنت له
كاذب “ . وقال: “لا يحل لامرئ مسلم ٬ يبيع سلعة ٬ يعلم أن بها داء إلا أخبر به “ . وعن ابن أبى
أوفى: أن رجلا أقام سلعة فى السوق فحلف بالله : لقد أعطى بها ما لم يُعط ليوقع فيها رجلا من
المسلمين فنزلت : “إن الذين يشترون بعهد الله وأيمانهم ثمنا قليلا أولئك لا خلاق لهم في الآخرة
ولا يكلمهم الله ولا ينظر إليهم يوم القيامة ولا يزكيهم ولهم عذاب أليم"
والحيف فى الشهادة من أشنع الكذب. فالمسلم لا يبالى إذا قام بشهادة ما أن يقرر الحق ولو
على أدنى الناس منه وأحبهم إليه ٬ لا تميل به قرابة ولا عصبية ٬ ولا تزيغه رغبة أو رهبة.. وتزكية
المرشحين لمجالس الشورى ٬ أو المناصب العامة ٬ نوع من الشهادة ؛ فمن انتخب المغموط فى
كفايته وأمانته ٬ فقد كذب ٬ وزور ٬ ولم يقم بالقسط. والله تبارك وتعالى يقول: “يا أيها الذين آمنوا كونوا
قوامين بالقسط شهداء لله ولو على أنفسكم أو الوالدين والأقربين إن يكن غنيا أو فقيرا فالله أولى
بهما فلا تتبعوا الهوى أن تعدلوا وإن تلووا أو تعرضوا فإن الله كان بما تعملون خبيرا". وعن أبى بكرة
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “ ألا أنبئكم بأكبر الكبائر ثلاثا قلنا : بلى: قال: الإشراك
بالله ٬ وعقوق الوالدين ٬ وقتل النفس.. وكان متكئا فجلس! ٬ وقال: ألا وقول الزور وشهادة الزور ٬ فما
زال يكررها حتى قلنا: ليته سكت “!!. إن التزوير كذب كثيف الظلمات ٬ إنه لا يكتم الحق فحسب ٬ بل
يمحقه ليثبت مكانه الباطل ٬ وخطره على الأفراد فى القضايا الخاصة ٬ وخطره على الأمم فى
القضايا العامة شديد مبيد. ومن ثم خوف الرسول منه على هذا النحو الصارخ. وعلى أرباب الحرف
والصناعات ٬ أن يجعلوا من كلمتهم قانونا مَرعى الجانب ٬ يقفون عنده ويستمسكون به ٬ فإنه لمن
المؤسف أن تكون الوعود المخلفة ٬ والحدود المائعة عادة مأثورة عن كثير من المسلمين ٬ مع أن
دينهم جعل الوعود الكاذبة أمارة النفاق.
وقد كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقدس الكلمة التى يقول ٬ ويحترم الكلمة التى يسمع ٬
وكان ذلك شارة الرجولة الكاملة فيه ٬ حتى قبل أن يرسل إلى الناس. عن عبد الله بن أبى
الحمساء قال: “بايعت رسول الله ببيع قبل أن يُبعث فبقيت له بقية ٬ فوعدته أن آتيه بها فى مكانه ٬
فنسيت ٬ ثم ذكرت بعد ثلاثة فجئتُ فإذا هو فى مكانه! فقال: يا فتى لقد شققت علىَّ! أنا ها هنا
منذ ثلاث أنتظرك “ كان يحضر فى الموعد المضروب بينهما وحدث أن الرسول وعد جابر بن عبد
الله بعطاء من مال البحرين ٬ ثم عاجلته الوفاة قبل الوفاء فلما جاء مال البحرين إلى خليفته أبى بكر
أطلق مناديا فى الناس يقول: “ألا من كان له على رسول الله عدة أو دَيْن فليأتنا" . انظر كيف توزن
الكلمة ويوجب تنفيذها حتى لا تذهب هباء مع اللغو الضائع؟ على أن الوعود الكاذبة ليست فقط
كلاما يذهب سدى ٬ ولكنها خرق للمصالح ٬ وإضرار بالناس ٬ وإهدار للأوقات ٬ وليس صدق الوعد خلة
تافهة ٬ إنها محمدة ذكرها الله عز وجل فى مناقب النبوة: “و اذكر في الكتاب إسماعيل إنه كان
صادق الوعد و كان رسولا نبيا و كان يأمر أهله بالصلاة والزكاة وكان عند ربه مرضيا". وسرد الصفات
للفاضلة على هذا الترتيب ٬ يدلك على ما لصدق الوعد من مكانة ولقد كان “إسماعيل “ أصدق
الناس وعدا حين قال لأبيه : “ستجدني إن شاء الله من الصابرين". لما قاله أبوه: “إني أرى في
المنام أني أذبحك فانظر ماذا ترى". وقد يندفع الإنسان إلى الكذب حين يعتذر عن خطأ وقع منه ٬
ويحاول التملص من عواقبه وهذا غباء وهوان ٬ وهو فرار من الشر إلى مثله أو أشد والواجب أن
يعترف الإنسان بغلطه ٬ فلعل صدقه فى ذكر الواقع وألمه لما بدر منه يمسحان هفوته ويغفران زلته
ومهما هجس فى النفس من مخاوف إذا قيل الحق فالأجدر بالمسلم أن يتشجع ٬ وأن يتحرج من
لوثاب الكذب قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “تحروا الصدق وإن رأيتم أن الهلكة فيه ٬ فإن
فيه النجاة “ ٬ وقال: “إذا كذب العبد تباعد الملك عنه ميلا من نَتنِ ما جاء به". والصدق فى الأقوال
يتأدى بصاحبه إلى الصدق فى الأعمال والصلاح فى الأحوال ٬ فإن حرص الإنسان على التزام الحق
فيما ينبس به ٬ يجعل ضياء الحق يسطع على قلبه وعلى فكره ٬ ولذلك يقول الله عر وجل: “يا أيها
الذين آمنوا اتقوا الله وقولوا قولا سديدا يصلح لكم أعمالكم ويغفر لكم ذنوبكم ومن يطع الله ورسوله
فقد فاز فوزا عظيما". والعمل الصادق هو العمل الذى لا ريبة فيه لأنه وليد اليقين ٬ ولا هوى معه
لأنه قرين الإخلاص ٬ ولا عوج عليه لأنه نبع من الحق. ونجاح الأمم فى أداء رسالتها ٬ يعود إلى جملة
ما يقدمه بنوها من أعمال صادقة. فإن كانت ثروتها من صدق العمل كبيرة ٬ سبقت سبقا بعيدا ٬ وإلا
سقطت فى عرض الطريق ٬ فإن التهريج والخبط ٬ والادعاء والهزل ٬ لا تغنى فتيلا عن أحد. قال رسول
الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “عليكم بالصدق ٬ فإن الصدق يهدى إلى البر ٬ والبر يهدى إلى الجنة ٬
وما يزال الرجل يصدق ويتحرى الصدق حتى يُكتب عند الله صديقا.. وإياكم والكذب ! فإن الكذب
يهدى إلي الفجور وإن الفجور يهدى إلى النار وما يزال العبد يكذب ويتحرى الكذب حتى يُكتب عند
الله كذابا". إن الفجور الذى هدى إليه إدمان الكذب هو المرحلة الأخيرة لضعة النفس ٬ وضياع
الإيمان. روى مالك عن ابن مسعود: “ لا يزال العبد يكذب ٬ ويتحرى الكذب ٬ فيُنكت فى قلبه نكتة
سوداء ٬ حتى يسود قلبه ٬ فيُكتب عند الله من الكذابين"".
ويحيق به قول الحق فى كتابه: “إنما يفتري الكذب الذين لا يؤمنون بآيات الله وأولئك هم الكاذبون".
وأما البر الذى هدى إليه الصدق ٬ فهو قمة الخير التى لا يرقى إليها إلا أولو العزم من الرجال ٬
وحسبك فيه هذه الآية الجامعة: “ليس البر أن تولوا وجوهكم قبل المشرق والمغرب ولكن البر من
آمن بالله واليوم الآخر والملائكة والكتاب والنبيين وآتى المال على حبه ذوي القربى واليتامى
والمساكين وابن السبيل والسائلين وفي الرقاب وأقام الصلاة وآتى الزكاة والموفون بعهدهم إذا
عاهدوا والصابرين في البأساء والضراء وحين البأس أولئك الذين صدقوا وأولئك هم المتقون"
THE TRUTH
Allah has created this whole universe on the basis of love, and has demanded of the people that they should build up
their life on the foundation of truth, to make truth and straight dealing a practice of their life, and should give place to
truth only in their talks and dealings.
When this clear sense is lost sight of by people, and false stories, superstitions and absurd beliefs rule their self, ideas
and thoughts, then hardness and harshness are generated in them they move away from the right path, and they totally
give up those realities the adoption of which was necessary.
For this reason the strong and firm pillar of a Muslim's character is straight dealing. It is his duty to be attached to truth
in every matter and to see every problem and affair through the glasses of truth, To keep it before him in every decision
is the clearest manifestation of his dealing and treatment, Similarly the construction of the society in Islam is made on
this foundation that mere conjectures and superstitions should be opposed baseless things and imaginary stories should
be thrown outs doubts and misgivings should not be encouraged, because strong and firm realities only deserve to be
manifested; they should have their imprint on the society s and their help should be taken in strengthening various
relations.
Allah's Messenger has said:
“Keep away from ill-thinking, because ill-thinking is the greatest falsehood,"
(Bukhari)
Another hadith says:
“Leave alone doubtful things, follow those matters in which there is no doubts for truth is a means of
satisfaction and falsehood is the cause of doubts and misgivings."
(Tirmizi)
Quran has expressed condemnation of those communities who follow conjectures and superstitions that have filled
their brains with absurdities and has staked their present and future, with the help of the false stories, on the gamble of
corruption and disruption:
“They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire, even though there has already come to them
Guidance from their Lord."
( An-Najm ..23)
“But they have no knowledge therein. They follow nothing but conjecture and conjecture avails nothing against
Truth"
(An-Najm.. 28)
Since Islam respects truth most strongly, it turns away liars very harshly. It admonishes them very severely. Hazrat
Ayesha narrates :
“Allah's Messenger did not hate anything as strongly as he hated falsehood, If he received in formation that
a particular man has told a lie, he used to throwaway that man's respect and honour from his heart till the time
he was not informed that he has repented for it,"
(Ahmed)
Another narration by her states:
“For the Messenger of Allah falsehood was the worst habit in a person, If any man told a lie in his presence, that
man's thought always troubled him until the time he was informed that he has repented",
(Ibn Habban)
This habit of the Prophet is not at all surprising. This was the policy of our forefathers. Their relations were formed on
the basis of righteousness and good moral character. They knew each other. If anyone had blemishes in his character,
and if he could be singled out on account of his misdeeds, then his position in that society would be like the position of
a man suffering from an infectious itching disease in a healthy society, and he was not considered deserving of any
respect until he was not cured of that defect.
The distinctive characteristic of the Muslim society in its first period was truth, disciplines, tolerance and cautious
manner of speaking, Falsehood, breaking of promises, false accusations, and baseless things are the signs of disruption
or of breaking away relation from religion. Or if they are to be termed as having relation with the religion, then it would
be caused the religious business of the false accusers, deceivers and tricksters, or the religiosity of liars and promise
breakers.
Falsehood is a Great Curse
Falsehood is such an evil that discloses the internal corruption and wickedness of the liar; and this is a name of the
wrong dealing which only acts in spreading evil. so much so that even without the needs that are troublesome or the
forcing inclinations it leads persons to committing sins.
Some evils are such that a man is involved in them totally. They are like diseases which require a very long -drawn
treatment; they are like fright and cowardice, which always hinder the progress of a coward and a frightened man, or
like greed which makes men miserly and stingy.
When some people come out for jihad to accompany the soldiers. they are shivering in their boots. Or some other
people who are terrified when they work out the amount of Zakat that they have to pay. What is the comparison of
these coward and miserly natures with those brave and generous natures which rush towards death laughing and which
spend their wealth in the cause of Allah most willingly!
Here some excuse can be found for such person as they become a prey of their fears and doubts when called upon to
offer sacrifices
But there can be absolutely no excuse for those who make lying their habit and who for the whole of their life go on
deceiving people by their falsehoods.
Allah's Messenger said :
“All the evils can be found in a momin, except dishonesty and falsehood."
(Aluned)
The Messenger of Allah was asked whether any Muslim could be a coward. He answered : “Yes." He was asked:
“Can a momin be a miser ?' He said that yea, he could be a miser. He was again asked: “Can a momin be a
liar?" He replied: “No !"
(Malik)
The replies of the Prophet show that these factors of deficiency and weakness enter some persons' nature and when they
are called upon to do their duty or pay the dues of Arab and His slaves, then these factors adversely influence them. But
this does not mean that miserliness is tolerated and cowardice is a lesser evil.
How is “ possible when non-payment of zakat and running away from jihad are acts which touch the borderline of
infidel " (kufr) ,
The extent to which a liar and a defiant person may spread falsehood and however wide this extent may be his sin
before Allah will be to the same extent. Journalists, who misguide the people by false news, politicians who
misrepresent important public problems and slaves of selfishness who cast aspersions against eminent persons and
ladies of good character-all these sections commit terrible crimes and their punishment is very severe.
Allah's Messenger said:
“One night I saw two men. They came to me and said:' Any man whom you see talking by widening his jaws,
consider him a liar, He tells a lie which is copied through his medium, till it is talked of in the whole world. He
goes on doing this till the Doomsday."
(Fathul Bari)
Making false promises to their subjects by the rulers also comes in this category, because the falsehood spoken from
the pulpit spreads to the four corners of the world.
It is in the Tradition that “Three persons can never enter Paradise. First the old man who commits illegal sex, second
the man who tells lies and third that poor man who indulges in pride."
(AI Bazzar)
To invent lies against Allah's religion is the worst evil. One who has the slightest relation with Allah and His
Messenger will never indulge in this kind of activity.
This is the worst kind of liar, and the consequences which he will have to face are terrible.
The Prophet has said: “The consequence of inventing falsehood against me is not as bad as it is for inventing
falsehood against anybody. Let the man who purposely and wittingly makes a false statement about me make his
destination Hell."
(Bukhari)
In the list of false charges and accusations are included all those inventions and absurdities which the uneducated have
fabricated against Allah's religion, which have no place in the faith. The general public has taken them to be the
religion though they have nothing to do with it. In fact they are nothing but mere pastime and plaything.
Allah's Messenger has warned his followers against the sources of these invented absurdities, has admonished them to
be wary of adopting other ways than those directed by the Quran and the Sunnah. He has said:
“In the last period of my Ummah there will come people who will be deceitful, liars. They will tell you things
which you would never have heard, nor have your forefathers heard them. Be wary of them; let them not
misguide you and let them not involve you in corruptions."
(Muslim)
Accustom your Children to be Truthful
Islam commands that in the hearts of the children the seeds of the greatness and importance of truth be sown, so that
they may grow up and develop on truth and may become young in its lap; and they may give it its due place in their
talks.
Abdullah Ibn A 'amir says that once my mother called me when the Prophet was present in my house. My mother asked
me to come and said that she would give me a certain thing. He asked what did she want to give? She said that she
wanted to give me a date (fruit). The Prophet said: “ If you had not given him this date, then the committing of a
falsehood would have been entered into your record of deeds.".
(Abu Daud).
Abu Huraira says that the Prophet has said:
“Anybody who called a child saying that he would give him a certain thing, and did not give it, then it is a lie."
(Ahmed)
It is worth noting that in what a wise way the Prophet has instructed his followers to train their children in such a
manner that they should consider truth and straight dealing respectable things and should avoid telling lies. Had the
Prophet ignored these things and had not emphatically reminded about them, then there was a danger that the children
on growing up would not have considered telling lies as sin.
Adoption of straight dealing and telling the truth has been very strictly insisted upon, so much so that it has been
enjoined upon to take care about this in even small household matters.
Asma Binte Yazid narrates that she once asked the Messenger of Allah:
“If some one of us women stated that she had no desire to have a certain thing even though she had that desire,
then would it be considered a lie ?"
He replied: “Falsehood is written as falsehood, and a small falsehood is written as a small falsehood."
(Muslim)
Prohibited to tell a Lie even in a Joke
The Establisher of the Shariah (p, b. u. h,) has warned of all the occasions where falsehood can be used and the adverse
consequences of the same, so much so that it is not possible for even an ordinary enforcer to misguide the people about
the reality or to lessen its importance.
A man tends to make false statements in cutting jokes, thinking that on the occasions of entertaining people there is
nothing wrong if baseless information is given or false and imaginary events are related. But Islam, which considers
providing relief to hearts as permissible, has fixed only those methods proper and permissible which are within that:
limits of truth, because halal is much broader than haram and that truth is independent of falsehood. Allah's Messenger
has said:
“Death for the man who indulges in story-telling in order to make some people laugh and for that he relies on
falsehood. There is death for him, there is destruction for him."
(Tirmizi)
In another hadith it is stated:
“I give guarantee of a house in the middle of Paradise for the man who has given up falsehood, though he was
required to indulge in humour."
(Baihaqui)
The Prophet has said:
“A Momin cannot have complete faith unless he gives up falsehood in his jokes and debates though in all other
matters he speaks the truth."
(Ahmed)
This is our daily observation that people give full rein to their tongues in the matter of humorous talks to make others
laugh, and do not hesitate to spread the tales and stories invented by friends or foes only for the purpose of getting
some pleasure or for pulling some one's leg, when the world has absolutely prohibited such a wrong policy, and this is a
fact that this kind of entertainment and amusements and false acts create enmities and rivalries,
Avoid Exaggeration in Praise
Some peoples when they praise somebody, go to the extent of exaggerating and making false statements, For a Muslim
it is necessary that when he praises somebody he should do it to the extent to which he knows about that man, He
should avoid exaggeration and falsehood in showering praises of the praised one, although he may be deserving of the
praises, for exaggeration is a kind of falsehood which has been forbidden,
To a person who was praising the Prophet, he said: “Do not indulge in exaggeration while praising me, as the
Christians did in the case of Ibn Maryam (Christ). I am only a slave. So only say that he is a slave of Allah and
His Messenger."
(Razin)
A group of such people is always found who lick the boots of the leaders and rulers of the country and praise them to
heaven, The main purpose of their lives is to compose very lengthy panegyric poems or to write long-drawn essays in
praise of their benefactors, Thus they try to make a mountain of the molehill and place an unknown person in the palace
of fame. Sometimes they do not even hesitate to call the tyrant rulers as standard bearers of justice and coward and
chicken hearted soldiers as brave and lion-hearted fighters. Their only purpose in this is to earn wealth.
This is the worst kind of falsehood. Allah's Messenger has counselled us to totally reject them and expose them till they
give up their wrong practices.
Abu Huraira says that the Prophet has commanded us that we should throw dust in the face of those who indulge in
exaggeration in their praises.
(Tirmizi)
The commentators have pointed out that the persons mentioned here are those who make exaggeration as their habit
and through this try to earn gifts and presents from the praised ones but those persons who praise the performers of
good acts with a view to encouraging them and to inciting others to follow their example are not meant.
The limits where a Muslim stops and which keep him distinct from the bootlickers and the exaggerators are: that he
praises his benefactor or a good person, but he does not let him indulge in vanity and pride. These limits have been
clarified by the Prophet.
Hazrat Abu Bakr narrates that a man praised some one in the presence of Allah's Messenger and the Prophet told him:
“Fie on you, you have separated the head of your companion," He repeated these words and then said: “If some
one wants to praise his brothers then if he is aware of the facts then he should say that I think he is such and
such and Allah is the real Knower, and there is none purer and innocent than Allah; I consider him bearer of
these qualities."
(Bukhari)
Keep away from Falsehood and Deception In Trade
Traders make false statements while showing their wares and stating their prices. The basis of trade in our midst is
unlimited greed. The shopkeeper desires that their should be dearness, while the buyer wants to get the commodities
free of charge. It is wealth which controls activities of buying and selling in the markets and in different fields. Islam
hates this kind of deceptive affair and the senseless debate and disputation latent in it, The Prophet has said: “The
buyers and sellers are free till they do not separate and if they have acted with honesty, and have explained the defects
of commodities, then Allah will bless them with prosperity. And if both of them tried to deal dishonestly and tried to
hide the defects then it is likely that they may get some profit, but the prosperity will vanish from their trade."
In another tradition it stated:
“The prosperity of the dealing of both the persons is terminated. The untrue and false oath will help get the commodity
sold, but it reduces the earning ."
(Ahmed)
The buyers who go to the shopkeepers are mostly ignorant of the real situation, and whatever the shopkeeper says they
believe it, The honest thing is not to take undue advantage of the simplicity of men for the purpose of obtaining double
price or for concealing the defects.
The Messenger of Allah has said :
“What would be a greater dishonesty than this that when you are talking with your brother he may be thinking
that you are telling the truth whereas you are deceiving him by telling lies."
(Bukhari)
He has also said :
“It is not lawful for a Muslim to sell such a commodity that has a defect, except that the defect is shown to the
buyer."
(Bukhari)
Ibn Abi Adna narrates that a man opened a shop in the market and swore that he would sell such a commodity as no
one else would be selling, so that he may deceive some Muslims; so the following verses were revealed:
“Verily, those who sell the covenant with Allah and their oaths for a small price, there is no compensation for them
in the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment Allah will not speak to them, nor will He look at them, and nor will He
purify them; but for them is very severe punishment."
(Baqarah)
Disregard of truth in giving evidence is the worst type of falsehood. When a Muslim should stand up for giving
evidence, he should state the truth unhesitatingly; regardless of the fact whether it is against his close friend or a
favourite person. No relationship or prejudice should deviate him from the right path, nor any greed or bribe should be
able to make him waver in his stand.
“O You who believe I Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents,
or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor; for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your
heart), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted -with all
that you do."
(Nissa: 135)
Hazrat Abu Bakr narrates Allah has stated:
“May I not tell you the major sins ?" Three times he repeated the same thing. We requested: “Why not O
Messenger of Allah ?" He replied: “To associate some one else with Allah, to disobey the parents and to murder
some one unjustly." He was leaning. Then he got up and said: “And to tell lies and to give false evidence." He
went on repeating it till we said to ourselves it would be better if he were silent then."
(Bukhari)
Trickery and deception is a falsehood which has layers and layers of darkness. It does not only involve the
concealment of truth but it also tries to prove that the falsehood is truth. In some special matters it harms only a few
individuals but in public matters it becomes a severe and deadly danger against the whole nation.
For this reason the Prophet has very bluntly and emphatically counselled to keep away from it and bas warned against
it.
Do not break your Promises
The traders and the industrialists particularly should take special care to see that they keep their promises, that they are
true to their words and that they do not change their stand. It is a very sad state of affairs that among the Muslims the
tendency of breaking promises and crossing the limits has become very common, when their religion has termed the
false promises as symbols of disruption.
The Messenger of Allah considered the words coming out from the mouth as holy and the words that fell on his ears as
respectable. Before attaining prophet hood, these qualities of decency and manliness were found in his character.
Abdullah bin Abi Hama says that he entered into a contract for the sale of a commodity with the Prophet before he was
blessed with prophet-hood, and some commodities had remained to be sold. He promised to the prophet that he would
hand over a certain thing to him at a certain place. Then he forgot all about this. After three days he remembered his
promise and went to the appointed place. He saw that the Prophet was present at the spot. He only said this:
“O young man! You worried me. I am waiting here for you for the last three days ."
(Abu Daud)
It is narrated that the Prophet had promised Jabir bin Abdullah that he would give him some gifts from the stock of
articles coming from Bahrain, but before fulfilling this promise he died. When the stock from Bahrain arrived at the
place of the First Caliph, he caused an announcement to be made in the public that anyone whom the Prophet might
have promised to give something from this stock or anyone who had lent something to the Prophet should come to him
and take away his due"
(Bukhari)
It is worth noting how the words are appraised and they are enforced, so that they may not become worthless if left
uncared for. False promises do untold harm to the interests of the society. They cause inconvenience to the people and
waste time, Redeeming your pledges is a commendable quality. Allah considers fulfilling of promises as one of the
attributes of prophet-hood :
“Also mention in the Book (the story of) Ismail; he was true to what he promised and he was a Messenger, Prophet.
He used to enjoin on his people prayer and charity and he was most acceptable in sight of the Lord “
(Maryam.. 54-55)
In these verses the order of the good qualities show what position the quality of fulfilling of promises enjoys; and
Ismail showed that he was true to his word when his father told him that he saw a dream in which he was slaughtering
his son, Ismail, and asked him what he thought about it. The son, who was true to his word, replied: “God willing, you
will find me patient and steadfast."
Sometimes man relies on falsehood when he commits a mistake, and he wants to save himself from the bad
consequences of that mistake. This is very unwise and brings a bad name. It amounts to going from one evil to another,
which is worse than the first evil. It is necessary that man should own his mistakes. It is likely that his truthfulness and
his sense of sorrow over his mistake may save him from the bad consequences and he may be pardoned.
When a Muslim senses some danger or is afraid to speak the truth, it is proper that he should show courage and try to
avoid getting ensnared in the net of falsehood.
Allah's Messenger has said:
“ Adopt truth, even if you see your destruction in it, for the (final) salvation is in it."
(Ibn Abi-duniya)
In another hadith it is mentioned:
“When a person tells a lie, the bad odour that emanates from it keeps the angels one mile away."
(Tirmizi)
Truth of Speech leads to Truth of Action
If a man is truthful and straight in his speech and dealings, then inevitably there will be truthfulness and sincerity in his
actions and goodness and reform in his conditions. By adopting truthful and straight methods in dealing with others,
this light of truth also illuminates man's heart and mind and their darkness also vanish:
“O you who believe ! Fear Allah and (always) say a word directed to the right;. that He may make your conduct
whole and sound and forgive you your sins ;. He that obeys Allah and His Messenger has already attained the
highest achievement."
(Ahzab.. 70-71)
Right action is the desired actions about which there is no misgiving, because it is the creation of certainty. There is no
idea of defect in that, because it is the companion of sincerity. There is no curve in it, because its source is truth.
The success of the communities and nations in the matter of conveying their message depends on the fact that the
bearers of the message must be performers of right action, If they have an abundant record of right and truthful action,
then they can reach the zenith of success and glory, otherwise they swerve from their destination in the way, for mere
idleness, senseless activities, slogan shouting and self-praise would not be of any use.
Allah's Messenger has said:
“Adopt truth, for truth shows the path of righteousness, and righteousness shows the path to Paradise. A man
speaks the truth regularly and adopts truthful ways till he is recorded as a truthful person before Allah; and
keep away from falsehood, for falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness throws in the Hell, A person tells
lies regularly and attaches himself to falsehood till he is recorded as a liar before Allah,"
(Fathul Bari)
Evil and wickedness towards which the habit of telling lies leads is the last stage of the destruction of self and the
lowness of faith.
Imam Malik has reported about the hadith narrated by Ibn Masood: " A person regularly tells lies and adopts falsehood
(as his policy), till a black point is imprinted in his heart, and slowly and slowly the whole heart becomes black. At that
time his name is entered in the list of liars before Allah."
Allah has stated in Quran :
“It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah that forge falsehood, it is they who lie."
(Nahl: 105)
Righteousness whose path is shown by truth is the highest peak of goodness to which only men of high determination
can reach. In this connection the following verses of the holy Quran would suffice:
“It is no virtue that you turn your face to the East and the West, but virtue is that one should believe in Allah, and
the Last Day and the angels and the prophets; and spend out of love for Him his wealth on relatives and orphans
and the needy and the wayfarer and on those who ask and for ransom of the slaves and establish salat and pay
zakat. And those who fulfil the pledges they make and steadfast in adversity and affliction and in times of struggle,
such are the people as are truthful and God fearing."
(Baqarah:
إن الله خلق السموات والأرض بالحق ٬ وطلب إلى الناس أن يبنوا حياتهم على الحق ٬ فلا
يقولوا إلا حقا ولا يعملوا إلا حقا. وحيرة البشر وشقوتهم ٬ ترجع إلى ذهولهم عن هذا الأصل الواضح ٬
وإلى تسلط أكاذيب وأوهام على أنفسهم وأفكارهم ٬ أبعدتهم عن الصراط المستقيم ٬ وشردت بهم
عن الحقائق التى لابد من التزامها. ومن هنا كان الاستمساك بالصدق فى كل شأن ٬ وتحريه فى
كل قضية ٬ والمصير إليه فى كل حكم ٬ دعاية ركينة فى خلق المسلم ٬ وصبغة ثابتة فى سلوكه ٬
وكذلك كان بناء المجتمع فى الإسلام قائما على محاربة الظنون ٬ ونبذ الإشاعات واطراح الريب ٬ فإن
الحقائق الراسخة وحدها هى التى يجب أن تظهر وتغلب ٬ وأن تُعتمد فى إقرار العلاقات المختلفة.
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم “إياكم والظن فإن الظن أكذب الحديث “ . وقال: “دع ما
يريبك إلى ما لا يريبك ٬ فإن الصدق طمأنينة ٬ والكذب ريبة" . وقد نعى القرآن على أقوام تجريهم وراء
الظنون التى ملأت عقولهم بالخرافات ٬ وأفسدت حاضرهم ومستقبلهم بالأكاذيب فقال: “إن يتبعون
إلا الظن وما تهوى الأنفس ولقد جاءهم من ربهم الهدى". وقال: “وما لهم به من علم إن يتبعون إلا
الظن وإن الظن لا يغني من الحق شيئا". والإسلام لاحترامه الشديد للحق طارد الكاذبين ٬
وشدد عليهم بالنكير. عن عائشة أم المؤمنين قالت: “ما كان من خلق أبغض إلى رسول الله
صلى الله عليه وسلم من الكذب ٬ ما اطلع على أحد من ذلك فيخرج من قلبه حتى يعلم أنه قد
أحدث توبة". وفى رواية عنها: “ما كان من خلق أبغض إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من
الكذب ٬ ولقد كان الرجل يكذب عنده الكذبة ٬ فما يزال فى نفسه حتى يعلم أنه قد أحدث فيها توبة".
ولا غرو فلقد كان السلف الصالح يتلاقون على الفضائل ويتعارفون بها ٬ فإذا أساء أحد السيرة وحاول
أن ينفرد بمسلك خاطئ ٬ بدا بعمله هذا كالأجرب بين الأصحاء ٬ فلا طيب له مقام بينهم حتى يبرأ
من علته. وكانت المعالم الأولى للجماعة المسلمة صدق الحديث ٬ ودقة الأداء ٬ وضبط الكلام. أما
الكذب والإخلاف ٬ والتدليس والافتراء ٬ فهى أمارات النفاق ٬ وانقطاع الصلة بالدين ٬ أو هى اتصال
بالدين على أسلوب المدلسين والمفترين! أى على أسلوب الكذابين فى مخالفة الواقع. والكذب
رذيلة محضة تنبئ عن تغلغل الفساد فى نفس صاحبها ٬ وعن سلوك ينشىء الشر إنشاء ٬ ويندفع
إلى الإثم من غير ضرورة مزعجة ٬ أو طبيعية قاهرة. هناك رذائل يلتاث بها الإنسان ٬ تشبه الأمراض
التى تعرض للبدن ٬ ولا يصح منها إلا بعد علاج طويل ٬ كالخوف الذى يتلعثم به الهيابون ٬ أو الحرص
الذى تنقبض به الأيدى. إن بعض الناس إذا جُنِّد للجهاد المفروض ٬ تقدم إليه وجلده مقشعر ٬ وإن
بعضهم إذا استخرجت منه الزكاة الواجبة ٬ أخذ يعدها وأصابعه تُرْعش ٬ وهذه الطباع التى تتأئر
بالجبن أو بالبخل ٬ غير الطباع التى تُقبل على الموت فى نزق ٬ وتبعثر المال بغير حساب. وقد تكون
هناك أعذار لمن يشعرون بوساوس الحرص أو الخوف ٬ عندما يوقفون فى ميادين التضحية والفداء!!
ولكنه لا عذر البتة لمن يتخذون الكذب خلقا ويعيشون به على خديعة الناس. قال رسول الله صلى
الله عليه وسلم : “ يُطبع المؤمن على الخلال كلها ٬ إلا الخيانة والكذب “ . وسئل رسول الله
صلى الله عليه وسلم : “أيكون المؤمن جبانا؟ قال: نعم! قيل له: أيكون المؤمن بخيلا؟ قال: نعم!
قيل له: أيكون المؤمن كذابا؟ قال: لا. “ ..
وهذه الإجابات تشير إلى ما أسلفنا بيانه ٬ من نوازع الضعف والنقص التى تخامر بعض الناس ثم
يتغلبون عليها بعد لأى ٬ عندما يواجهون بالفريضة المحكمة أو الضريبة الحاسمة ٬ وهى لا تعنى أبدا
تسويغ البخل ٬ أو تهوين الجبن كيف؟ ومنع الزكاة وترك الجهاد بابان إلى الكفران؟؟. وكلما اتسع
نطاق الضرر إثر كذبة يشيعها أفاك جرىء كان الوزر عند الله أعظم ٬ فالصحافى الذى ينشر على
الألوف خبرا باطلا ٬ والسياسى الذى يعطى الناس صورا مقلوبة عن المسائل الكبرى ٬ وذو الغرض
الذى يتعمد سوق التهم إلى الكبراء من الرجال والنساء ٬ أولئك يرتكبون جرائم أشق على أصحابها
وأسوأ عاقبة. قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : “رأيت الليلة رجلين أتيانى ٬ قالا لى: الذى رأيته
يُشق شدقه فكذاب يكون الكذبة فتُحمل عنه حتى تبلغ الآفاق ٬ فيصنع به هكذا إلى يوم القيامة" .
ومن هذا القبيل كذب الحكام على الشعوب ٬ فإن كذبة المنبر بلْقاء مشهورة. وفى الحديث: “ثلاثة
لا يدخلون الجنة : الشيخ الزانى ٬ والإمام الكذاب ٬ والعائل المزهو" الفقير المتكبر . والكذب على
دين الله من أقبح المنكرات ٬ وأول ذلك نسبة شىء إلى الله أو إلى رسوله لم يقله. وهذا الضرب من
الافتراء فاحش فى حقيقته ٬ وخيم فى نتيجته. قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “إن كذبا
علىَّ ليس ككذب على أحد؟ فمن كذب علىَّ متعمدا فليتبوأ مقعده من النار “ ويدخل فى نطاق
هذا الافتراء ٬ سائر ما ابتدعه الجُهال ٬ وأقحموه على دين الله من مُحدثات لا أصل لها ٬ عدها العوام
دينا ٬ وما هى بدين ٬ ولكنها لهو ولعب! وقد نبه النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم أمته إلى مصادر هذه
البدع المنكرة ٬ وحذر من الانقياد إلى تيارها ٬ ومسَّك المسلمين بآى كتابهم وسنة سلفهم قال:
“يكن فى آخر أمتى أناس دجالون كذابون يُحدثونكم بما لم تسمعوا أنتم ولا آباؤكم! فإياكم وإياهم ٬
لا يُضلونكم ولا يفتنونكم
والإسلام يوصى أن تُغرس فضيلة الصدق فى نفوس الأطفال ٬ حتى يشبوا عليها ٬ وقد ألفوها فى
أقوالهم وأحوالهم كلها. فعن عبد الله بن عامر قال: دعتنى أمى يوما ورسول الله صلى الله عليه
وسلم قاعد فى بيتنا ٬ فقالت: تعال أعطك ٬ فقال لها صلى الله عليه وسلم "ما أردت أن تُعطيه؟
“ قالت : أردتُ أن أعطيه تمرا فقال لها: “أما إنك لو لك تُعطه شيئا كُتبت عليك كذبة" !!. وعن أبى
هريرة عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال : “من قال لصبى : تعال ٬ هاك ثم لم يعطه
فهى كذبة" . فانظر كيف يُعلَّم الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم الأمهات والآباء أن يُنشئوا أولادهم
تنشئة يقدسون فيها الصدق ٬ ويتنرهون عن الكذب ٬ ولو أنه تجاوز عن هذه الأمور وحسبها من
التوافه الهينة لخشي أن يكبر الأطفال ٬ وهم يعتبرون الكذب ذنبا صغيرا وهو عند الله عظيم. وقد
مشت الصرامة فى تحرى الحق ٬ ورعاية الصدق ٬ حتى تناولت الشئون المنزلية الصغيرة. عن أسماء
بنت يزيد قالت : يا رسول الله ٬ إن قالت إحدانا لشىء تشتهيه : لا أشتهيه. يُعد ذلك كذبا؟ قال: “إن
الكذب يكتب كذبا حتى تكتب الكذيبة كذيبة" . وقد أحصى الشارع مزالق الكذب ٬ وأوضح سوء
عقباها ٬ حتى لا يبقى لأحد منفذ إلى الشرود عن الحقيقة ٬ أو الاستهانة بتقريرها. فالمرء قد
يستسهل الكذب حين يمزح!! حاسبا أن مجال اللهو لا حظر فيه على إخبار أو اختلاق ٬ ولكن
الإسلام الذى أباح الترويح عن القلوب لم يرض وسيلة لذلك إلا فى حدود الصدق المحض ؛ فإن فى
الحلال مندوحة عن الحرام ٬ وفى الحق غناء عن الباطل. قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم :
“ويل للذى يحدث بالحديث ليُضحك منه القوم فيكذب ٬ ويل له ٬ ويل له. “
وقال: “أنا زعيم ببيت فى وسط الجنة ٬ لمن ترك الكذب وإن كان مازحا". وقال: “لا يؤمن العبد
الإيمان كله ٬ حتى يترك الكذب فى المُزاح والمراء ٬ وأن كان صادقا" والمشاهد أن الناس يطلقون
العنان لأخيلتهم فى تلفيق الأضاحيك ٬ ولا يُحسون حرجا فى إدارة أحاديث مفتراة على ألسنة
خصومهم أو أصدقائهم ليتندروا بها أو يسخروا منهم وقد حرَّم الدين هذا المسلك تحريما تاماً ٬ إذ
الحق أن اللهو بالكذب ٬ كثيرا ما ينتهى إلى أحزان وعداوات. وتمدُّ الناس مدرجة إلى كذب ٬
والمسلم يجب أن يحاذر حينما يُثنى على غيره فلا يذكر إلا ما لا يعلم من خير ٬ ولا يجنح إلى
المبالغة فى تضخيم الحامد وطى المثالب. ومهما كان الممدوح جديرا بالثناء فإن المبالغة فى
إطرائه ضرب من الكذب المحرم. وقد قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لمادحيه : “لا تطرونى
كما أطرت النصارى ابن مريم! فإنما أنا عبد . فقولوا: عبد الله ورسوله “ . وهناك فريق من الناس
يتخذ المدائح الفارغة بضاعة يتملق بها الأكابر ويصوغ من الشعر القصائد المطولة ٬ ومن النثر الخطب
المرسلة ٬ فيكيل الثناء جزافا ويهرف بما لا يعرف ٬ وربما وصف بالعدالة الحكام الجائرين ٬ ووصف
بالشجاعة الأغبياء الخوارين ٬ ابتغاء عرض من الدنيا عند هؤلاء وأولئك. هذا الصنف من الأذناب
الكذبة ٬ أوصى الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم بمطاردتهم ٬ حتى يرجعوا من تزويرهم ٬ بوجوه
عفرها الخزى والحرمان. عن أبى هريرة قال: “أمرنا رسول الله أن نحثوا فى وجوه المداحين التراب “
. وقد ذكر شراح الحديث ٬ أن المداحين المعنيين هنا “هم الذين اتخذوا مدح الناس عادة ٬ يستأكلون
به الممدوح ٬ فأما من مدح على الأمر الحسن والفعل المحمود ترغيبا فى أمثاله ٬ وتحريضا للناس
على الاقتداء به فليس بمداح.“
والحدود التى يقف عندها المسلم ٬ ويخرج بها من تبعة الملق والمبالغة ٬ وينفع بها ممدوحه ٬ فلا
يُزله إلى العجب والكبرياء ٬ قد بينها النبى الحكيم. ف عن أبى بكرة قال: أثنى رجل على رجل عند
رسول الله ٬ فقال له: “ويحك قطعت عنق صاحبك قالها ثلاثا ثم قال: من كان مادحا أخاه لا محالة
فليقل: أحسب فلانا والله حسيبه ولا يُزكى على الله أحدٌ أحسب فلانا كذا وكذا ٬ إن كان يعلم
ذلك منه “ . والتاجر قد يكذب فى بيان سلعته وعرض ثمنها ٬ والتجارات عندنا تقوم على الطمع
البالغ: البائع يريد الغلو ٬ والشارى يريد البخس ٬ والأثرة هى التى تسود حركات التبادل فى الأسواق
والمحال. وقد كره الإسلام هذه المعاملة الجشعة ٬ وما يشوبها من لغو ومراء. قال رسول الله:
“البيعان بالخيار ما لم يتفرقا ٬ فإن صدق البيعان وبينا بورك لهما فى بيعهما ٬ وإن كذبا وكتما فعسى
أن يربحا ربحا ما ٬ ويمحق بركة بيعها" وفى رواية: مُحقت بركة بيعهما.. اليمين الفاجرة منفقة
للسلعة ممحقة للكذب “. ومن المشترين رجال يُقبلون على الباعة وهم قليلو الخبرة ٬ سريعو
التصديق لما يقال لهم ٬ فمن الإيمان ألا تُستغل سذاجتهم فى كسب مُضاعف أو تغطية عيْب. قال
رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “كبُرَت خيانة أن تحدِّث أخاك حديثا ٬ هو لك مُصدِّق ٬ وأنت له
كاذب “ . وقال: “لا يحل لامرئ مسلم ٬ يبيع سلعة ٬ يعلم أن بها داء إلا أخبر به “ . وعن ابن أبى
أوفى: أن رجلا أقام سلعة فى السوق فحلف بالله : لقد أعطى بها ما لم يُعط ليوقع فيها رجلا من
المسلمين فنزلت : “إن الذين يشترون بعهد الله وأيمانهم ثمنا قليلا أولئك لا خلاق لهم في الآخرة
ولا يكلمهم الله ولا ينظر إليهم يوم القيامة ولا يزكيهم ولهم عذاب أليم"
والحيف فى الشهادة من أشنع الكذب. فالمسلم لا يبالى إذا قام بشهادة ما أن يقرر الحق ولو
على أدنى الناس منه وأحبهم إليه ٬ لا تميل به قرابة ولا عصبية ٬ ولا تزيغه رغبة أو رهبة.. وتزكية
المرشحين لمجالس الشورى ٬ أو المناصب العامة ٬ نوع من الشهادة ؛ فمن انتخب المغموط فى
كفايته وأمانته ٬ فقد كذب ٬ وزور ٬ ولم يقم بالقسط. والله تبارك وتعالى يقول: “يا أيها الذين آمنوا كونوا
قوامين بالقسط شهداء لله ولو على أنفسكم أو الوالدين والأقربين إن يكن غنيا أو فقيرا فالله أولى
بهما فلا تتبعوا الهوى أن تعدلوا وإن تلووا أو تعرضوا فإن الله كان بما تعملون خبيرا". وعن أبى بكرة
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “ ألا أنبئكم بأكبر الكبائر ثلاثا قلنا : بلى: قال: الإشراك
بالله ٬ وعقوق الوالدين ٬ وقتل النفس.. وكان متكئا فجلس! ٬ وقال: ألا وقول الزور وشهادة الزور ٬ فما
زال يكررها حتى قلنا: ليته سكت “!!. إن التزوير كذب كثيف الظلمات ٬ إنه لا يكتم الحق فحسب ٬ بل
يمحقه ليثبت مكانه الباطل ٬ وخطره على الأفراد فى القضايا الخاصة ٬ وخطره على الأمم فى
القضايا العامة شديد مبيد. ومن ثم خوف الرسول منه على هذا النحو الصارخ. وعلى أرباب الحرف
والصناعات ٬ أن يجعلوا من كلمتهم قانونا مَرعى الجانب ٬ يقفون عنده ويستمسكون به ٬ فإنه لمن
المؤسف أن تكون الوعود المخلفة ٬ والحدود المائعة عادة مأثورة عن كثير من المسلمين ٬ مع أن
دينهم جعل الوعود الكاذبة أمارة النفاق.
وقد كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقدس الكلمة التى يقول ٬ ويحترم الكلمة التى يسمع ٬
وكان ذلك شارة الرجولة الكاملة فيه ٬ حتى قبل أن يرسل إلى الناس. عن عبد الله بن أبى
الحمساء قال: “بايعت رسول الله ببيع قبل أن يُبعث فبقيت له بقية ٬ فوعدته أن آتيه بها فى مكانه ٬
فنسيت ٬ ثم ذكرت بعد ثلاثة فجئتُ فإذا هو فى مكانه! فقال: يا فتى لقد شققت علىَّ! أنا ها هنا
منذ ثلاث أنتظرك “ كان يحضر فى الموعد المضروب بينهما وحدث أن الرسول وعد جابر بن عبد
الله بعطاء من مال البحرين ٬ ثم عاجلته الوفاة قبل الوفاء فلما جاء مال البحرين إلى خليفته أبى بكر
أطلق مناديا فى الناس يقول: “ألا من كان له على رسول الله عدة أو دَيْن فليأتنا" . انظر كيف توزن
الكلمة ويوجب تنفيذها حتى لا تذهب هباء مع اللغو الضائع؟ على أن الوعود الكاذبة ليست فقط
كلاما يذهب سدى ٬ ولكنها خرق للمصالح ٬ وإضرار بالناس ٬ وإهدار للأوقات ٬ وليس صدق الوعد خلة
تافهة ٬ إنها محمدة ذكرها الله عز وجل فى مناقب النبوة: “و اذكر في الكتاب إسماعيل إنه كان
صادق الوعد و كان رسولا نبيا و كان يأمر أهله بالصلاة والزكاة وكان عند ربه مرضيا". وسرد الصفات
للفاضلة على هذا الترتيب ٬ يدلك على ما لصدق الوعد من مكانة ولقد كان “إسماعيل “ أصدق
الناس وعدا حين قال لأبيه : “ستجدني إن شاء الله من الصابرين". لما قاله أبوه: “إني أرى في
المنام أني أذبحك فانظر ماذا ترى". وقد يندفع الإنسان إلى الكذب حين يعتذر عن خطأ وقع منه ٬
ويحاول التملص من عواقبه وهذا غباء وهوان ٬ وهو فرار من الشر إلى مثله أو أشد والواجب أن
يعترف الإنسان بغلطه ٬ فلعل صدقه فى ذكر الواقع وألمه لما بدر منه يمسحان هفوته ويغفران زلته
ومهما هجس فى النفس من مخاوف إذا قيل الحق فالأجدر بالمسلم أن يتشجع ٬ وأن يتحرج من
لوثاب الكذب قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “تحروا الصدق وإن رأيتم أن الهلكة فيه ٬ فإن
فيه النجاة “ ٬ وقال: “إذا كذب العبد تباعد الملك عنه ميلا من نَتنِ ما جاء به". والصدق فى الأقوال
يتأدى بصاحبه إلى الصدق فى الأعمال والصلاح فى الأحوال ٬ فإن حرص الإنسان على التزام الحق
فيما ينبس به ٬ يجعل ضياء الحق يسطع على قلبه وعلى فكره ٬ ولذلك يقول الله عر وجل: “يا أيها
الذين آمنوا اتقوا الله وقولوا قولا سديدا يصلح لكم أعمالكم ويغفر لكم ذنوبكم ومن يطع الله ورسوله
فقد فاز فوزا عظيما". والعمل الصادق هو العمل الذى لا ريبة فيه لأنه وليد اليقين ٬ ولا هوى معه
لأنه قرين الإخلاص ٬ ولا عوج عليه لأنه نبع من الحق. ونجاح الأمم فى أداء رسالتها ٬ يعود إلى جملة
ما يقدمه بنوها من أعمال صادقة. فإن كانت ثروتها من صدق العمل كبيرة ٬ سبقت سبقا بعيدا ٬ وإلا
سقطت فى عرض الطريق ٬ فإن التهريج والخبط ٬ والادعاء والهزل ٬ لا تغنى فتيلا عن أحد. قال رسول
الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “عليكم بالصدق ٬ فإن الصدق يهدى إلى البر ٬ والبر يهدى إلى الجنة ٬
وما يزال الرجل يصدق ويتحرى الصدق حتى يُكتب عند الله صديقا.. وإياكم والكذب ! فإن الكذب
يهدى إلي الفجور وإن الفجور يهدى إلى النار وما يزال العبد يكذب ويتحرى الكذب حتى يُكتب عند
الله كذابا". إن الفجور الذى هدى إليه إدمان الكذب هو المرحلة الأخيرة لضعة النفس ٬ وضياع
الإيمان. روى مالك عن ابن مسعود: “ لا يزال العبد يكذب ٬ ويتحرى الكذب ٬ فيُنكت فى قلبه نكتة
سوداء ٬ حتى يسود قلبه ٬ فيُكتب عند الله من الكذابين"".
ويحيق به قول الحق فى كتابه: “إنما يفتري الكذب الذين لا يؤمنون بآيات الله وأولئك هم الكاذبون".
وأما البر الذى هدى إليه الصدق ٬ فهو قمة الخير التى لا يرقى إليها إلا أولو العزم من الرجال ٬
وحسبك فيه هذه الآية الجامعة: “ليس البر أن تولوا وجوهكم قبل المشرق والمغرب ولكن البر من
آمن بالله واليوم الآخر والملائكة والكتاب والنبيين وآتى المال على حبه ذوي القربى واليتامى
والمساكين وابن السبيل والسائلين وفي الرقاب وأقام الصلاة وآتى الزكاة والموفون بعهدهم إذا
عاهدوا والصابرين في البأساء والضراء وحين البأس أولئك الذين صدقوا وأولئك هم المتقون"
THE TRUTH
Allah has created this whole universe on the basis of love, and has demanded of the people that they should build up
their life on the foundation of truth, to make truth and straight dealing a practice of their life, and should give place to
truth only in their talks and dealings.
When this clear sense is lost sight of by people, and false stories, superstitions and absurd beliefs rule their self, ideas
and thoughts, then hardness and harshness are generated in them they move away from the right path, and they totally
give up those realities the adoption of which was necessary.
For this reason the strong and firm pillar of a Muslim's character is straight dealing. It is his duty to be attached to truth
in every matter and to see every problem and affair through the glasses of truth, To keep it before him in every decision
is the clearest manifestation of his dealing and treatment, Similarly the construction of the society in Islam is made on
this foundation that mere conjectures and superstitions should be opposed baseless things and imaginary stories should
be thrown outs doubts and misgivings should not be encouraged, because strong and firm realities only deserve to be
manifested; they should have their imprint on the society s and their help should be taken in strengthening various
relations.
Allah's Messenger has said:
“Keep away from ill-thinking, because ill-thinking is the greatest falsehood,"
(Bukhari)
Another hadith says:
“Leave alone doubtful things, follow those matters in which there is no doubts for truth is a means of
satisfaction and falsehood is the cause of doubts and misgivings."
(Tirmizi)
Quran has expressed condemnation of those communities who follow conjectures and superstitions that have filled
their brains with absurdities and has staked their present and future, with the help of the false stories, on the gamble of
corruption and disruption:
“They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire, even though there has already come to them
Guidance from their Lord."
( An-Najm ..23)
“But they have no knowledge therein. They follow nothing but conjecture and conjecture avails nothing against
Truth"
(An-Najm.. 28)
Since Islam respects truth most strongly, it turns away liars very harshly. It admonishes them very severely. Hazrat
Ayesha narrates :
“Allah's Messenger did not hate anything as strongly as he hated falsehood, If he received in formation that
a particular man has told a lie, he used to throwaway that man's respect and honour from his heart till the time
he was not informed that he has repented for it,"
(Ahmed)
Another narration by her states:
“For the Messenger of Allah falsehood was the worst habit in a person, If any man told a lie in his presence, that
man's thought always troubled him until the time he was informed that he has repented",
(Ibn Habban)
This habit of the Prophet is not at all surprising. This was the policy of our forefathers. Their relations were formed on
the basis of righteousness and good moral character. They knew each other. If anyone had blemishes in his character,
and if he could be singled out on account of his misdeeds, then his position in that society would be like the position of
a man suffering from an infectious itching disease in a healthy society, and he was not considered deserving of any
respect until he was not cured of that defect.
The distinctive characteristic of the Muslim society in its first period was truth, disciplines, tolerance and cautious
manner of speaking, Falsehood, breaking of promises, false accusations, and baseless things are the signs of disruption
or of breaking away relation from religion. Or if they are to be termed as having relation with the religion, then it would
be caused the religious business of the false accusers, deceivers and tricksters, or the religiosity of liars and promise
breakers.
Falsehood is a Great Curse
Falsehood is such an evil that discloses the internal corruption and wickedness of the liar; and this is a name of the
wrong dealing which only acts in spreading evil. so much so that even without the needs that are troublesome or the
forcing inclinations it leads persons to committing sins.
Some evils are such that a man is involved in them totally. They are like diseases which require a very long -drawn
treatment; they are like fright and cowardice, which always hinder the progress of a coward and a frightened man, or
like greed which makes men miserly and stingy.
When some people come out for jihad to accompany the soldiers. they are shivering in their boots. Or some other
people who are terrified when they work out the amount of Zakat that they have to pay. What is the comparison of
these coward and miserly natures with those brave and generous natures which rush towards death laughing and which
spend their wealth in the cause of Allah most willingly!
Here some excuse can be found for such person as they become a prey of their fears and doubts when called upon to
offer sacrifices
But there can be absolutely no excuse for those who make lying their habit and who for the whole of their life go on
deceiving people by their falsehoods.
Allah's Messenger said :
“All the evils can be found in a momin, except dishonesty and falsehood."
(Aluned)
The Messenger of Allah was asked whether any Muslim could be a coward. He answered : “Yes." He was asked:
“Can a momin be a miser ?' He said that yea, he could be a miser. He was again asked: “Can a momin be a
liar?" He replied: “No !"
(Malik)
The replies of the Prophet show that these factors of deficiency and weakness enter some persons' nature and when they
are called upon to do their duty or pay the dues of Arab and His slaves, then these factors adversely influence them. But
this does not mean that miserliness is tolerated and cowardice is a lesser evil.
How is “ possible when non-payment of zakat and running away from jihad are acts which touch the borderline of
infidel " (kufr) ,
The extent to which a liar and a defiant person may spread falsehood and however wide this extent may be his sin
before Allah will be to the same extent. Journalists, who misguide the people by false news, politicians who
misrepresent important public problems and slaves of selfishness who cast aspersions against eminent persons and
ladies of good character-all these sections commit terrible crimes and their punishment is very severe.
Allah's Messenger said:
“One night I saw two men. They came to me and said:' Any man whom you see talking by widening his jaws,
consider him a liar, He tells a lie which is copied through his medium, till it is talked of in the whole world. He
goes on doing this till the Doomsday."
(Fathul Bari)
Making false promises to their subjects by the rulers also comes in this category, because the falsehood spoken from
the pulpit spreads to the four corners of the world.
It is in the Tradition that “Three persons can never enter Paradise. First the old man who commits illegal sex, second
the man who tells lies and third that poor man who indulges in pride."
(AI Bazzar)
To invent lies against Allah's religion is the worst evil. One who has the slightest relation with Allah and His
Messenger will never indulge in this kind of activity.
This is the worst kind of liar, and the consequences which he will have to face are terrible.
The Prophet has said: “The consequence of inventing falsehood against me is not as bad as it is for inventing
falsehood against anybody. Let the man who purposely and wittingly makes a false statement about me make his
destination Hell."
(Bukhari)
In the list of false charges and accusations are included all those inventions and absurdities which the uneducated have
fabricated against Allah's religion, which have no place in the faith. The general public has taken them to be the
religion though they have nothing to do with it. In fact they are nothing but mere pastime and plaything.
Allah's Messenger has warned his followers against the sources of these invented absurdities, has admonished them to
be wary of adopting other ways than those directed by the Quran and the Sunnah. He has said:
“In the last period of my Ummah there will come people who will be deceitful, liars. They will tell you things
which you would never have heard, nor have your forefathers heard them. Be wary of them; let them not
misguide you and let them not involve you in corruptions."
(Muslim)
Accustom your Children to be Truthful
Islam commands that in the hearts of the children the seeds of the greatness and importance of truth be sown, so that
they may grow up and develop on truth and may become young in its lap; and they may give it its due place in their
talks.
Abdullah Ibn A 'amir says that once my mother called me when the Prophet was present in my house. My mother asked
me to come and said that she would give me a certain thing. He asked what did she want to give? She said that she
wanted to give me a date (fruit). The Prophet said: “ If you had not given him this date, then the committing of a
falsehood would have been entered into your record of deeds.".
(Abu Daud).
Abu Huraira says that the Prophet has said:
“Anybody who called a child saying that he would give him a certain thing, and did not give it, then it is a lie."
(Ahmed)
It is worth noting that in what a wise way the Prophet has instructed his followers to train their children in such a
manner that they should consider truth and straight dealing respectable things and should avoid telling lies. Had the
Prophet ignored these things and had not emphatically reminded about them, then there was a danger that the children
on growing up would not have considered telling lies as sin.
Adoption of straight dealing and telling the truth has been very strictly insisted upon, so much so that it has been
enjoined upon to take care about this in even small household matters.
Asma Binte Yazid narrates that she once asked the Messenger of Allah:
“If some one of us women stated that she had no desire to have a certain thing even though she had that desire,
then would it be considered a lie ?"
He replied: “Falsehood is written as falsehood, and a small falsehood is written as a small falsehood."
(Muslim)
Prohibited to tell a Lie even in a Joke
The Establisher of the Shariah (p, b. u. h,) has warned of all the occasions where falsehood can be used and the adverse
consequences of the same, so much so that it is not possible for even an ordinary enforcer to misguide the people about
the reality or to lessen its importance.
A man tends to make false statements in cutting jokes, thinking that on the occasions of entertaining people there is
nothing wrong if baseless information is given or false and imaginary events are related. But Islam, which considers
providing relief to hearts as permissible, has fixed only those methods proper and permissible which are within that:
limits of truth, because halal is much broader than haram and that truth is independent of falsehood. Allah's Messenger
has said:
“Death for the man who indulges in story-telling in order to make some people laugh and for that he relies on
falsehood. There is death for him, there is destruction for him."
(Tirmizi)
In another hadith it is stated:
“I give guarantee of a house in the middle of Paradise for the man who has given up falsehood, though he was
required to indulge in humour."
(Baihaqui)
The Prophet has said:
“A Momin cannot have complete faith unless he gives up falsehood in his jokes and debates though in all other
matters he speaks the truth."
(Ahmed)
This is our daily observation that people give full rein to their tongues in the matter of humorous talks to make others
laugh, and do not hesitate to spread the tales and stories invented by friends or foes only for the purpose of getting
some pleasure or for pulling some one's leg, when the world has absolutely prohibited such a wrong policy, and this is a
fact that this kind of entertainment and amusements and false acts create enmities and rivalries,
Avoid Exaggeration in Praise
Some peoples when they praise somebody, go to the extent of exaggerating and making false statements, For a Muslim
it is necessary that when he praises somebody he should do it to the extent to which he knows about that man, He
should avoid exaggeration and falsehood in showering praises of the praised one, although he may be deserving of the
praises, for exaggeration is a kind of falsehood which has been forbidden,
To a person who was praising the Prophet, he said: “Do not indulge in exaggeration while praising me, as the
Christians did in the case of Ibn Maryam (Christ). I am only a slave. So only say that he is a slave of Allah and
His Messenger."
(Razin)
A group of such people is always found who lick the boots of the leaders and rulers of the country and praise them to
heaven, The main purpose of their lives is to compose very lengthy panegyric poems or to write long-drawn essays in
praise of their benefactors, Thus they try to make a mountain of the molehill and place an unknown person in the palace
of fame. Sometimes they do not even hesitate to call the tyrant rulers as standard bearers of justice and coward and
chicken hearted soldiers as brave and lion-hearted fighters. Their only purpose in this is to earn wealth.
This is the worst kind of falsehood. Allah's Messenger has counselled us to totally reject them and expose them till they
give up their wrong practices.
Abu Huraira says that the Prophet has commanded us that we should throw dust in the face of those who indulge in
exaggeration in their praises.
(Tirmizi)
The commentators have pointed out that the persons mentioned here are those who make exaggeration as their habit
and through this try to earn gifts and presents from the praised ones but those persons who praise the performers of
good acts with a view to encouraging them and to inciting others to follow their example are not meant.
The limits where a Muslim stops and which keep him distinct from the bootlickers and the exaggerators are: that he
praises his benefactor or a good person, but he does not let him indulge in vanity and pride. These limits have been
clarified by the Prophet.
Hazrat Abu Bakr narrates that a man praised some one in the presence of Allah's Messenger and the Prophet told him:
“Fie on you, you have separated the head of your companion," He repeated these words and then said: “If some
one wants to praise his brothers then if he is aware of the facts then he should say that I think he is such and
such and Allah is the real Knower, and there is none purer and innocent than Allah; I consider him bearer of
these qualities."
(Bukhari)
Keep away from Falsehood and Deception In Trade
Traders make false statements while showing their wares and stating their prices. The basis of trade in our midst is
unlimited greed. The shopkeeper desires that their should be dearness, while the buyer wants to get the commodities
free of charge. It is wealth which controls activities of buying and selling in the markets and in different fields. Islam
hates this kind of deceptive affair and the senseless debate and disputation latent in it, The Prophet has said: “The
buyers and sellers are free till they do not separate and if they have acted with honesty, and have explained the defects
of commodities, then Allah will bless them with prosperity. And if both of them tried to deal dishonestly and tried to
hide the defects then it is likely that they may get some profit, but the prosperity will vanish from their trade."
In another tradition it stated:
“The prosperity of the dealing of both the persons is terminated. The untrue and false oath will help get the commodity
sold, but it reduces the earning ."
(Ahmed)
The buyers who go to the shopkeepers are mostly ignorant of the real situation, and whatever the shopkeeper says they
believe it, The honest thing is not to take undue advantage of the simplicity of men for the purpose of obtaining double
price or for concealing the defects.
The Messenger of Allah has said :
“What would be a greater dishonesty than this that when you are talking with your brother he may be thinking
that you are telling the truth whereas you are deceiving him by telling lies."
(Bukhari)
He has also said :
“It is not lawful for a Muslim to sell such a commodity that has a defect, except that the defect is shown to the
buyer."
(Bukhari)
Ibn Abi Adna narrates that a man opened a shop in the market and swore that he would sell such a commodity as no
one else would be selling, so that he may deceive some Muslims; so the following verses were revealed:
“Verily, those who sell the covenant with Allah and their oaths for a small price, there is no compensation for them
in the Hereafter. On the Day of Judgment Allah will not speak to them, nor will He look at them, and nor will He
purify them; but for them is very severe punishment."
(Baqarah)
Disregard of truth in giving evidence is the worst type of falsehood. When a Muslim should stand up for giving
evidence, he should state the truth unhesitatingly; regardless of the fact whether it is against his close friend or a
favourite person. No relationship or prejudice should deviate him from the right path, nor any greed or bribe should be
able to make him waver in his stand.
“O You who believe I Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents,
or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor; for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your
heart), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted -with all
that you do."
(Nissa: 135)
Hazrat Abu Bakr narrates Allah has stated:
“May I not tell you the major sins ?" Three times he repeated the same thing. We requested: “Why not O
Messenger of Allah ?" He replied: “To associate some one else with Allah, to disobey the parents and to murder
some one unjustly." He was leaning. Then he got up and said: “And to tell lies and to give false evidence." He
went on repeating it till we said to ourselves it would be better if he were silent then."
(Bukhari)
Trickery and deception is a falsehood which has layers and layers of darkness. It does not only involve the
concealment of truth but it also tries to prove that the falsehood is truth. In some special matters it harms only a few
individuals but in public matters it becomes a severe and deadly danger against the whole nation.
For this reason the Prophet has very bluntly and emphatically counselled to keep away from it and bas warned against
it.
Do not break your Promises
The traders and the industrialists particularly should take special care to see that they keep their promises, that they are
true to their words and that they do not change their stand. It is a very sad state of affairs that among the Muslims the
tendency of breaking promises and crossing the limits has become very common, when their religion has termed the
false promises as symbols of disruption.
The Messenger of Allah considered the words coming out from the mouth as holy and the words that fell on his ears as
respectable. Before attaining prophet hood, these qualities of decency and manliness were found in his character.
Abdullah bin Abi Hama says that he entered into a contract for the sale of a commodity with the Prophet before he was
blessed with prophet-hood, and some commodities had remained to be sold. He promised to the prophet that he would
hand over a certain thing to him at a certain place. Then he forgot all about this. After three days he remembered his
promise and went to the appointed place. He saw that the Prophet was present at the spot. He only said this:
“O young man! You worried me. I am waiting here for you for the last three days ."
(Abu Daud)
It is narrated that the Prophet had promised Jabir bin Abdullah that he would give him some gifts from the stock of
articles coming from Bahrain, but before fulfilling this promise he died. When the stock from Bahrain arrived at the
place of the First Caliph, he caused an announcement to be made in the public that anyone whom the Prophet might
have promised to give something from this stock or anyone who had lent something to the Prophet should come to him
and take away his due"
(Bukhari)
It is worth noting how the words are appraised and they are enforced, so that they may not become worthless if left
uncared for. False promises do untold harm to the interests of the society. They cause inconvenience to the people and
waste time, Redeeming your pledges is a commendable quality. Allah considers fulfilling of promises as one of the
attributes of prophet-hood :
“Also mention in the Book (the story of) Ismail; he was true to what he promised and he was a Messenger, Prophet.
He used to enjoin on his people prayer and charity and he was most acceptable in sight of the Lord “
(Maryam.. 54-55)
In these verses the order of the good qualities show what position the quality of fulfilling of promises enjoys; and
Ismail showed that he was true to his word when his father told him that he saw a dream in which he was slaughtering
his son, Ismail, and asked him what he thought about it. The son, who was true to his word, replied: “God willing, you
will find me patient and steadfast."
Sometimes man relies on falsehood when he commits a mistake, and he wants to save himself from the bad
consequences of that mistake. This is very unwise and brings a bad name. It amounts to going from one evil to another,
which is worse than the first evil. It is necessary that man should own his mistakes. It is likely that his truthfulness and
his sense of sorrow over his mistake may save him from the bad consequences and he may be pardoned.
When a Muslim senses some danger or is afraid to speak the truth, it is proper that he should show courage and try to
avoid getting ensnared in the net of falsehood.
Allah's Messenger has said:
“ Adopt truth, even if you see your destruction in it, for the (final) salvation is in it."
(Ibn Abi-duniya)
In another hadith it is mentioned:
“When a person tells a lie, the bad odour that emanates from it keeps the angels one mile away."
(Tirmizi)
Truth of Speech leads to Truth of Action
If a man is truthful and straight in his speech and dealings, then inevitably there will be truthfulness and sincerity in his
actions and goodness and reform in his conditions. By adopting truthful and straight methods in dealing with others,
this light of truth also illuminates man's heart and mind and their darkness also vanish:
“O you who believe ! Fear Allah and (always) say a word directed to the right;. that He may make your conduct
whole and sound and forgive you your sins ;. He that obeys Allah and His Messenger has already attained the
highest achievement."
(Ahzab.. 70-71)
Right action is the desired actions about which there is no misgiving, because it is the creation of certainty. There is no
idea of defect in that, because it is the companion of sincerity. There is no curve in it, because its source is truth.
The success of the communities and nations in the matter of conveying their message depends on the fact that the
bearers of the message must be performers of right action, If they have an abundant record of right and truthful action,
then they can reach the zenith of success and glory, otherwise they swerve from their destination in the way, for mere
idleness, senseless activities, slogan shouting and self-praise would not be of any use.
Allah's Messenger has said:
“Adopt truth, for truth shows the path of righteousness, and righteousness shows the path to Paradise. A man
speaks the truth regularly and adopts truthful ways till he is recorded as a truthful person before Allah; and
keep away from falsehood, for falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness throws in the Hell, A person tells
lies regularly and attaches himself to falsehood till he is recorded as a liar before Allah,"
(Fathul Bari)
Evil and wickedness towards which the habit of telling lies leads is the last stage of the destruction of self and the
lowness of faith.
Imam Malik has reported about the hadith narrated by Ibn Masood: " A person regularly tells lies and adopts falsehood
(as his policy), till a black point is imprinted in his heart, and slowly and slowly the whole heart becomes black. At that
time his name is entered in the list of liars before Allah."
Allah has stated in Quran :
“It is those who believe not in the Signs of Allah that forge falsehood, it is they who lie."
(Nahl: 105)
Righteousness whose path is shown by truth is the highest peak of goodness to which only men of high determination
can reach. In this connection the following verses of the holy Quran would suffice:
“It is no virtue that you turn your face to the East and the West, but virtue is that one should believe in Allah, and
the Last Day and the angels and the prophets; and spend out of love for Him his wealth on relatives and orphans
and the needy and the wayfarer and on those who ask and for ransom of the slaves and establish salat and pay
zakat. And those who fulfil the pledges they make and steadfast in adversity and affliction and in times of struggle,
such are the people as are truthful and God fearing."
(Baqarah:
المرفقات
836.doc