SEPTEMBER 16

Speaking the Truth

The Quran defines believers as men and women who speak the truth. The noblest quality in a man or woman is honesty and avoidance of falsehood at all times. Indeed, nothing less than absolute truthfulness befits the human character.

Many traditions have been related which show the importance of truth. For instance, according to one tradition, the Prophet of Islam observed: You should speak the truth, because speaking the truth leads man to a life of virtue. And you should keep your distance from someone who tells lies, because telling lies leads man to a life of evil.

This hadith commands us to speak the truth and it also tells us the wisdom of speaking the truth. When a man takes real care to speak the truth, a truth-loving personality is developed within him. The colour of truth dominates his temperament and thinking. Such a soul is nurtured within him as is free of all the evils of psychological complexes. In this way there is nothing to prevent the basic quality of honesty from shining through on all occasions.

On the contrary, one who, whenever he speaks, utters falsehoods, is sullying his inner personality. Purity of soul does not develop within him. He becomes more and more immersed in evil. This is why, according to a hadith, the Prophet observed: The best utterance to me is that of the truth. The trader who is truthful and trustworthy will be raised on Doomsday along with the Prophets. (Bukhari)