The Merits of Truthfulness

1 – One of the greatest fruits of truthfulness is salvation from distress and the attainment of success in this world and the Hereafter.

There are many texts in the Qur’an and Sunnah which affirm the importance of truthfulness and that one should give heed to it in all his affairs. This is because success and salvation are not attained by the slave in this world and the Hereafter, except by it.

Talhah ibn ‘Ubaidullaah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that a man from Najd with unkempt hair came to Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). We heard his loud voice but could not understand what he was saying till he came near, (and then we came to know that) he was asking about Islam. Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “You have to offer five Salaat (prayers) perfectly in the day and night.” The man asked: “Are there any more Salaat (prayers) upon me?” Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: “No, but if you want to offer the Nawafil prayers (you can).” Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) further said to him: “You have to observe Saum [fasts (according to Islamic teachings)] during the month of Ramadan.” The man asked: “Is there any other (more) fasting upon me” Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: “No, but if you want to observe the Nawafil fasts (you can).” Then Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) further said to him: “You have to pay the Zakaat.” The man asked: “Is there anything other (than the Zakaat) for me to pay?” Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied: “No, unless you want to give alms of your own.” And then the man retreated saying: “By Allaah! I will neither do less nor more than this.” Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “If what he said is true, then he Aflah [will be successful (i.e. he will be granted Paradise)].” [Al-Bukhaari no. 46]

Note: The words “Falaha” and “Falaah” mean success, salvation, and remaining in delight and goodness.

Al-Falaah means “Fawz”: to win what brings joy to the person, and it entails a good state.

Abu Ishaaq said regarding Allaah’s Statement:

وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

“and it is those who are the successful.”[2:5]

Everyone who has attained good is called a “Muflih” (Successful).

In the Hadeeth of the Athaan, “Come to Success” means: “Come to permanent good”. It is also said to mean: “Come near, hurry and hasten to success (i.e. to win the permanent stay.” and “Come to salvation.”

Ibn Al-Atheer said: “Come to the means of winning Jannah and staying in it, which is offering the congregational prayer.”

Based on the previous meanings of Al-Falaah, if one said t3he truth and is truthful (in one’s utterances, actions, and all one’s states), he will attain salvation and win the permanent residence in Paradise.

Forms of Al-Falaah (Success), which is one of the greatest fruits of Truthfulness:

a) Attainment of Paradise (i.e. salvation on the Day of Resurrection) and the pleasure of Allaah. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Maa’idah [5:119]:

ُ قَالَ اللَّهُ هَٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ الصَّادِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَخَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

“Allaah 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.’ Allaah is pleased with them and them with Him. That is the great success (Paradise).”

And He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Muhammad [47:21]:

طَاعَةٌ وَقَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ ۚ فَإِذَا عَزَمَ الْأَمْرُ فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا اللَّهَ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُمْ

“Obedience (to Allaah) and good words (were better for them). And when the matter (preparation for Jihaad) is resolved on then if they had been true to Allaah, it would have been better for them.”

Success, salvation, good news, happiness, and winning are linked with truthfulness to Allaah (Ta’ala).

b) Attainment of peace of mind and safety from doubts

Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated: “I remember (these words) from Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): ‘Give up what appears doubtful to you and adhere to that which is not doubtful; for truth is peace of mind and falsehood is doubt.’” [At-Tirmidhi]

One must always avoid doubts so that he does not do anything unlawful. This message is mentioned in another Hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhaari which states that he who has saved himself from doubts has in fact saved his faith and honor.

c) Truthfulness leads to Al-Birr and Al-Birr leads to Paradise. The person who keeps on telling the truth will become a Siddiq.

Ibn Mas’ud (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Truth leads to Al-Birr (piety) and piety (righteousness and every act of obedience to Allaah) leads to Paradise. A man keeps on telling the truth till he becomes a Siddiq (truthful person). Falsehood leads to Al-Fujur (i.e. wickedness, evildoing, etc.) and Al-Fujur leads to Hellfire, and a man keeps on telling lies till he is written as a liar before Allaah.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said in his explanation of ‘Riyadus-Saliheen’: “Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ordered us with truthfulness in this Hadeeth and he mentioned its end which is Paradise. He said that: ‘Truth leads to Al-Birr.’ Al-Birr is abundant good, piety, and righteousness. Whoever keeps on telling the truth will be written with Allaah as a Siddiq (truthful man). Bear in mind that Siddiq is the second rank of people after the Prophets and Messengers on the Day of Resurrection. This is a high and great rank which only a few attain, such as Maryam (‘Alayhas-salaam) and Abu Bakr (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu).”

d) Attainment of Barakah (blessings) in business dealings

Hakeem ibn Hizam (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Both parties in a business transaction have a right to annul it so long as they have not separated, and if they tell the truth and make everything clear to each other (i.e. the seller and buyer speak the truth; the seller with regards to what is purchased and the buyer with regard to the money) they will be blessed in their transaction. But if they conceal anything [of defects (of what’s bought and sold), etc.] and lie, the blessing in their transaction will be blotted out.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Honesty in dealing with people saves a person from being resurrected on the Day of Judgment with the wicked, since most people’s businesses depend on cheating, deceiving, and fraudulent tricks.

Rufa’ah ibn Raafi’ (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that he went with the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to the Musalla and saw people doing business. So he said: “O people of trade!” and they replied to the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), turning their necks and gazes towards him. He said: “Indeed the merchants will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment with the wicked, except the one who has Taqwa of Allaah, who behaves charitably, and is truthful.” [At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 1785]

2- Forgiveness of sins and great reward

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said: “Truthfulness is a great matter in Allaah’s Sight. Allaah (Ta’ala) promised the truthful believers a great reward, as He said in Surat Al-Ahzaab [33:35]:

إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ اتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَوَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

“Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allaah in Islam) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allaah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allaah has ordered and abstain from all that Allaah has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allaah), the men and the women who give Sadaqaat (i.e. Zakaat, and alms, etc.), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawafil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc. for more than 300 times extra over the remembrance of Allaah during the five compulsory congregational prayers) or praying extra additional Nawafil prayers of night in the last part of night, etc.) Allaah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).”

Allaah will forgive their sins for them because good deeds remit evil deeds, and He promised them an abundant reward, a great reward which none can estimate except Allaah (Ta’ala): Paradise which no eyes have seen, no ears have heard of, and no mind has even thought of.” [End quote – Sharh Riyadus-Saliheen]

 

Sources:

📚 Sharh Riyadh-us-Saliheen by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen

📚 Truthfulness with Allaah, by Shaikh Abdur-Razzq Al-Badr

📚 Truthfulness leads to Righteousness, workshop conducted by Shaikha Anaheed As-Simeeri

📚 Tayseer Al-Kareem by Shaikh As-Sa’dee

📚 Tafseer Ibn Katheer.

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