Author: Sayyed Muslih al-din
Falsehood (Part One)
«يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ (۲) كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِنْدَ الله أَنْ تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ (۳)» Translation: “O you who have believed, why do you say something that you do not do? It is displeasing to Allah to say something and not do it.”
In today’s world, moral and value concepts face new challenges that influence societies and cultures. One of these challenges is the phenomenon of Falsehood, which is a widespread and complex issue that has irreparable consequences for individuals and communities.
Lies exist in various types and forms in our societies, and their effects can be seen not only in the lives of individuals but also in the social structures and interactions. Over time, the concept of a lie has evolved from a solitary issue to a collective challenge. Modern technology and the media have facilitated the spread of lies, exacerbating the uncertainty surrounding the information provided, especially in the digital environment.
In addition, the psychological and social effects of Falsehood should not be ignored. Lies may reduce self-esteem, create doubt in human relationships, increase stress, and generally divert individuals from their moral and ethical path.
Falsehood, a negative cultural and social phenomenon, is one of the ugly moral attributes that, unfortunately, can be found among individuals in society today. Because human nature tends to be truthful and seeks truth, it considers lies to be disgusting and condemned. Falsehood is one of the evils of language and is regarded as a great sin in Islamic culture.
Falsehood has adverse social consequences; for example, some scholars consider one of the greatest consequences of Falsehood to be the loss of social trust between individuals, organizations, and the government. The liar covers his weaknesses and misleads the listener; he saves himself from punishment and thus attracts the attention of others.
A society filled with liars is immature, subtle, and insecure. To combat Falsehood and address this family, educational, and social scourge—one that has diminished the goodness of life, destroyed trust between people, and cast a shadow over affection and love—it is essential to understand its causes.
Definition of Falsehood
A lie, in simple terms, refers to false speech that contradicts truth and reality, and includes unjust promises. It also means quoting someone as saying something they did not. Its essence is in speech, whether it pertains to the past or the future, and whether it is a promise or not. A lie is news that opposes the truth, either intentionally or accidentally.
In a more technical sense, a lie is a statement or speech that is contrary to the truth. Falsehood is one of the worst human traits.
Thus, Falsehood means hiding the truth and saying something that has no external reality for the speaker. One of the most dangerous evils of language is Falsehood, and one of the most important qualities of a speaker is to seek the truth in their words and avoid Falsehood. Falsehood is not a good trait for a believer; it is the work of unbelievers. Almighty Allah says: «إِنَّما يَفْتَرِي الْكَذِبَ الَّذِينَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآياتِ الله وَأُولئِكَ هُمُ الْكاذِبُونَ» Translation: “(Muhammad is not a liar; rather) those who do not believe in the revelations of Allah, and these are the (real) liars.”
Falsehood is the work of disbelievers and hypocrites—those who claim faith with their tongues but have not believed in their hearts. Almighty Allah further states: «وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ» Translation: “Some people (hypocrites) say: ‘We believe in Allah and the Day of Resurrection’; while they do not believe.”
And: «إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللهِ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ وَاللهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُونَ» Translation: “When the hypocrites come to you, they (swear and) say: ‘We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.’ And Allah knows that you are undoubtedly His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are certainly liars.”
The lie of the hypocrites is that their hearts have not confirmed the promise of their tongues; they speak the truth but lie in their hearts. The Prophet of Islam, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Be honest, for the honesty of a man in charity leads him to Heaven. The honest person continues to be truthful until he is recorded as Siddiq (truthful). Beware of Falsehood, for lies lead one to evil and wrongdoing to Hell; one continues to lie and follow deceit until his name is finally recorded as Kazzab (liar).
Therefore, Islam advises and encourages every Muslim to be truthful and trains them to adhere to honesty—even if it means losing their life, body, or property in the process.
Mahmoud bin Marwan bin Abu al-Janoob said: “I know a solution for gossipers, but nothing can be done with a liar; for someone who creates their own words, I can hardly find a solution.”
All types of lies are forbidden, and the only lies that are allowed are those mentioned in the narration of Umm Kulsum bint Uqbah: the Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, permitted three types of lies: lies to create peace between people, lies during battle (as a kind of war tactic), and lies that a husband and wife tell to please each other.
The Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, says: “A person who creates peace among people and gives good news or speaks a good word is not considered a liar.”
Ibn Shahab states: “I have not heard that the Prophet of Allah, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, gave permission to lie except in three cases: during war, in making peace between people, and when a husband and wife want to enter love into each other’s hearts.”
If a person is captured by a tyrant and you know that unless you save him with a lie, he will surely be killed by this tyrant, in this case, it is permissible to lie to save him.
Continues…
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