‘And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass it with dignity.’ (25:72)

The special servants of Allah do not participate in the meetings where lies and falsehood is occurring. The biggest falsehood is disbelief and ascribing partners and the next in order comes the common lie and acts of shirk and the next in order comes the common lie and acts of sin.

Imam Abu Hanifah and Mujahid are of the view that these gatherings are music concerts, whilst others are of the view that these gatherings are carnivals and field days. The righteous people should avoid such gatherings as even an intentional look is tantamount to participation. (Mazhari)

It is a well-known fact that both Holy Qur’an and Sunnah declare false evidence as a great sin and an enormous evil. Hazrat Ibn Abbas quoted from the Holy Prophet that ‘false evidence is the gravest of major sins.’ (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Hazrat Abu narrates, that Rasulullah (PBUH) said, “The signs of a hypocrite are three; whenever he speaks, he tells a lie; whenever he promises, he breaks his promise; if you have trust in him, he proves to be dishonest.” The above Hadith is of such importance to us, because it demonstrates to us how evil it is to speak lies, that the Prophet associated the telling of lies with a hypocrite.

Unfortunately, our problem is that we think that by fulfilling the five fundamental principles of Islam we have become perfect Muslims. Islam has many different aspects to it, only fulfilling one aspect of worship, does not make us true Muslims. Turning a blind eye to such aspects of religion, like restraining our tongues when it comes to our utterances, will only be to our detriment.

During the days of ignorance, before the Prophet (PBUH) propagated the message of the truth of the religion of Islam, the Arabs were the worst of people on the surface of the Earth. No government or king was prepared to rule over them because they had the worst of qualities in them. But, with all the evil qualities and bad habits, the Arabs had at that time, the telling of lies was regarded as a detestable act.

Hazrat Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrates that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “When a man lies, the angel moves a mile from him because of the bad odor of what he has produced.”

Abdullah (RA) narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to wickedness and evil-doing, and wickedness leads to the (Hell) fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar.”

Abu Bakr (RA) narrates that Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said thrice, “Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the great sins?” We said, “Yes, O Allah’s Apostle.” He said, “To join partners in worship with Allah; to be undutiful to one’s parents.” The Prophet sat up after He had been reclining and added, “And I warn you against giving a false statement and a false witness; I warn you against giving a forged statement and a false witness.” The Prophet kept on saying that warning till we thought that he would never stop.

In conclusion, Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Quran: “And they even assign to things they do not know a portion out of that which we have bestowed for their sustenance! By Allah ye shall certainly be called to account for your false inventions.” (Sura 16, Verse 56).

Telling lies is a great and grievous sin and it removes all the blessings from our lives. We must therefore, at all costs, abstain from uttering such things that will be to our detriment in this world and hereafter. May Allah grant us the ability to abstain from speaking lies. Ameen.