The status of a Liar in Islam

There is no safe haven for a liar in the realm of Islam. The act of lying is one of the major indicators of a hypocrite. Lying falls under the umbrella of falsehood and evil. It’s like a disease which manifests into various harmful symptoms which causes damage to the individual telling the lies and the people around him. According to Ibn Mas‘ood, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said:

“I enjoin you to be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man may continue to tell the truth and endeavour to be truthful until he is recorded with Allah as a speaker of truth. And beware of lying, for lying leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to Hell. A man may continue to tell lies and endeavour to tell lies, until he is recorded with Allah as a liar” (Narrated by Sahih-Bukhari:6094 and Sahih-Muslim:2607).

It is a fact that lying leads to inner turmoil and chaos. It topples our inner balance. It festers the soul of the individual and continues to taint the soul as many times as the individual engages in lying. Getting into the habit of lying can become toxic for the individual and those around him. Evil and sinful acts such as cheating, deceiving, fraud, forgery etc. are essentially all carried out by liars. Allah (SWT) says:

"In their heart, there is a disease and God increases their disease, a painful doom is theirs because they lie"(Quran 2:10).

The worst possible type of lying is to fabricate information regarding Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (PBUH), i.e., associating fabricated statements with Allah (SWT) and the Prophet (PBUH), after that, it is spreading lies among people and purposely causing rifts between them. It is the hypocrites, who internalize the act of lying and use it to create mischief. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is known to have said:

“There are four characteristics, whoever has them all is a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of them has one of the characteristics of hypocrisy, until he gives it up: when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust, when he speaks he lies, when he makes a covenant he betrays it, and when he disputes he resorts to obscene speech” (Narrated by Sahih-Bukhaari:34 and Sahih-Muslim:58).

Why tell the truth?

Because the truthful are most beloved by Allah (SWT) Almighty. Telling the truth is one of the core foundations of what Islam stands on. Allah (SWT) prohibits lying and implores us to choose righteousness and truthfulness above all else in several places in the Quran:

"You who believe, heed Allah and stand by those who are truthful" (Quran 9:119).

"You who believe, guard your duty to Allah, and speak words straight to the point" (Quran 33:70).

Even though lying seems like an easy way out our problems sometimes and we tend to justify our white lies, thinking we wouldn’t have to suffer the consequences in our daily lives, be it at home or at our workplace or anywhere for that matter. However, what we tend to overlook is the consequences of lying may not be dire in this world but they will be in the Hereafter.

If you find yourself having told a lie and you feel guilt- that is also a blessing, for there are people who become such avid liars that they no longer feel guilt of their sins and actions. Being able to feel guilt for our sins is also a blessing from Allah (SWT). Hence, take that opportunity and repent. Repent with all your heart to the Almighty. Allah (SWT) is All-forgiving and All-Merciful. He is the forgiver of sins and the bestower of endless mercy. It is never too late to repent for your sins- Allah (SWT) is always listening.

Lying can never lead to any good. None. So beware of it and make a conscious effort to not engage in it. Allah (SWT) knows it is not always easy, but perhaps that is why His reward will be double fold for the ones who choose truthfulness in this life.