Lying is one of the worst sins that a servant may commit. A liar loses people’s trust because peaceful social relations that people want are relations based on loyalty. Verses that warn of lying and show its hatefulness are many. God almighty says:” None forge lies except those who disbelieve the verses of God, those are the liars”.[1] This is what was assured in the hadith of Al Imam Ali (a.s):” Abstain from lying because it abstains from faith”. [2]
It was narrated by the prophet Mohammad (pbuh):” One of the greatest sins is a lying tongue”. [3]
It was narrated by Al Imam Ali (a.s):” Prevent lying because it is in the lowest rank of morals”. [4]
Do not Underestimate the Colors of Lying
A man may underestimate some kings of lies and doesn’t consider it bad. He may change the title of some lies to misprize them such as a white lie or April’s lie… Islam has affirmed rejecting that and never underestimating lies with all its titles and colors. In the hadith of Abdullah bin Amer he said:” My mother called for me while the messenger of God was sitting with us in our house, and said:” Come and I’ll give you something”. The God’s messenger asked her:” What were you going to give him?”, so she said:” I wanted to give him a date”, so the prophet told her:” If you wouldn’t give him what you said, this would be considered a lie”. [5]
In another hadith for the God’s messenger (pbuh), when Asma’, the daughter of Yezid, asked him: If one of us says that she feels appetite for something that I don’t really want, is this considered a lie? So he (pbuh) answered:”A lie is considered a lie regardless how small it is”. [6]
The Consequences of Lying are Dire
Lying has many dire consequences and impacts on a man, such as:
Deprivation of Guidance: A liar is deprived of the blessing of guidance as God almighty mentioned in his holy Quran:” Surely God will judge between all regarding what they differed about. God certainly does not guide whoever persists in lying and disbelief.[7] Surely God does not guide whoever is a transgressor, a total liar.[8]
2. Creation of hypocrisy in hearts: God almighty says:” He has caused hypocrisy to be in their hearts till the Day they meet Him, because they have changed what they promised Allah and because they were liars”. [9]
3. Dishonor in life and torture in the hereafter: Al Imam Ali (a.s) says:” The fruit (effect) of lying is dishonor in life and torture in the hereafter”.[10] The reason of torture in the hereafter is because the liar’s lies will be shown in front of all of people and he will be dragged into Jahannam (the hellfire) as God promises him. Regarding the dishonor in life, this is because lying leads to the disappearance of a man’s prestige and glory. A liar is discarded among people. They point fingers at him because they don’t trust him. Al Imam Ali (a.s) says:” He who is known as a liar will diminish people’s trust. He who abstains from lying, people will believe his sayings”. [11]
4. Deprivation of Salat Al Layl (a voluntary night prayer): Al Imam Al Sadek (a.s) says:” A man is deprived of Salah Al Layl because of a lie he said”. [12]
5. Loss of Livelihood: The prophet Mohammad (pbuh) says:” Lying leads to the loss of sustenance”.[13] Al Imam ALi (a.s) says;” Getting used to lying leads to poverty”.[14]
Guidance and Good Tidings, Al Maaref Islamic and Cultural Institution
[1] Allama al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, part 69, p. 258.
[2] Sermons of Imam Ali, peace be upon him, Nahj Al Balagha, part 1, p. 150, Explanation: Sheikh Muhammad Abdo, Dar al-Dakhkir – Qom – Iran, Al Nahda – Qom, first edition, 1412 – 1370 m.
[3] Allama Al Majlisi, Bihar Al Anwar, part 74, p. 133.
[4] M.N., p. 75, p. 64.
[5] Muhammad Al Rishhari, Balance of Wisdom, part 3, page 2675.
[6] Allama Al Majlisi, Bihar Al Anwar, part 69, p. 258.
[7] Surah Al Zuman, verse 3
[8] Surah Ghafir, verse 28
[9] Surah Al Tawba, verse 77
[10] Al Wasiti, Oyoun Al-Hakam wa Al Moawaaz, p. 209, investigated by Hussein Al Hussaini Al Birjandi, published and printed by Dar Al Hadith, 1st Edition.
[11] Muhammadi Al Rishhri, Balance of Wisdom, part 3, page. 2677.
[12] Allama Al Majlisi, Bihar Al Anwar, part 69, page 260.
[13] Muhammadi Al Rishhri, Balance of Wisdom, part 3, page 2678.
[14] Allama Al Majlisi, Bihar Al Anwar, part 69, page 261.
source: english.almaaref