Morals - Being Honest

 

Being honest is one of the greatest moral virtues and noble human qualities. It is the foundation of faith. Through truthfulness, nobility, ambition, and excellence are manifested. It is a characteristic adorned by honorable men and exemplified by the faithful. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, was never known to tell a lie during his lifetime.

Mus'ab bin Al-Zubair2, may Allah be pleased with him, describing Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him,, "The entire Ummah agreed to call him As-Siddiq (the truthful) because he hastened to believe in the Messenger of Allah and adhered to truthfulness. There was never any flaw3 or hesitation in his character."4

Allah commanded His Messenger to enter and exit with truthfulness, as stated in the verse;

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِى مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍۢ وَأَخْرِجْنِى مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍۢ وَٱجْعَل لِّى مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَـٰنًۭا نَّصِيرًۭا ٨٠

"And say, 'My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.'" 

(Surah Al-Isra : Ayat 80)

Honesty is also a sign of the elevated status of the one who possesses it. Adorning oneself with it leads the servant to the ranks of the righteous. If you see a person who is truthful in their speech and dealings, then expect their nobility and elevated status.

The servant is required to be truthful in all circumstances. Al-Junayd1, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "The essence of truthfulness is to be truthful in a situation that nothing can save you from except lying."2

When you adorn yourself with truthfulness, know that it is a great favor from Allah upon you. Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Allah has not bestowed upon a servant, after Islam, a favor better than truthfulness, which is the nourishment and life of Islam. And He has not afflicted him with a greater calamity than lying, which is the sickness and corruption of Islam."3

On the Day of Judgment, nothing will save the servant except truthfulness. Allah, the Exalted, says:

قَالَ ٱللَّهُ هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٌۭ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۚ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ١١٩

"Allah will say, 'This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness.' For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment." 

(Al  Maidah:119)

Therefore, adhere to truthfulness in your words and actions to attain the rank of the truthful in Paradise. 

References

1 Abu Bakr, Abdullah bin Uthman bin 'Amir Al-Taymi Al-Qurashi, known as As-Siddiq. He was the close companion, and the first caliph of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He passed away in 13 AH. Al-Isti'ab fi Ma'rifat Al-Ashab (963/3), Asad Al-Ghaba fi Ma'rifat As-Sahaba (84/3).

2 He is Abu Isa Mus'ab bin Al-Zubair bin Al-Awam Al-Asadi Al-Qurashi. He passed away in 72 AH, and he lived for forty years. Siyar A'lam an-Nubala (140/4).

3 Meaning: detestable and prohibited things. Mat'alib al-Anwar fi Sahih al-Athar (136/6).

4 Tarikh al-Khulafa (p.26).

1 He is Abu al-Qasim al-Junayd bin Muhammad bin al-Junayd al-Nahawandi, al-Qawariri. He was born in the year 220 and passed away in 297 AH. Tabaqat al-Sufiyya (129), Siyar A'lam al-Nubala (66/14).

2 Madarij al-Salikin (2/265).

3 Zad al-Ma'ad (517/3).