Imam Hassan al-Askari (PBUH) said,
“All the evils are kept in a room, and the key to that room is lying (1)”.
The stability of a society is based on the trust among its people. What strengthens and reinforces a society is the level of truthfulness of its people; if truthfulness leaves a society, the lives of the people would become difficult, insecure, bitter, and miserable.
It is the jewel of truthfulness that is priceless and invaluable wherever it is found and in whomever it is manifested.
A truthful person refrains from lying, be it serious or just for humor. A truthful person stays away from hypocrisy and insincerity. The actions of a person who is truthful in advising people and preaching always match his sayings. The meaning of truthfulness in keeping promises is to remain loyal and committed to promises.
According to the statement of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP),” Truthfulness in speech, being responsible towards people, and fulfilling the oaths are the criteria for truthfulness and proximity to him; and whoever is a liar, betrayer, or disloyal is extremely distant from him(2)”.
Truthfulness in speech and action makes one beloved and reliable among people. In contrast, lying makes one unreliable among people and rejected in the eyes of Allah (SWT). Truthful people enjoy mental peace and tranquility, and are not afraid of being disgraced; as the proverb says: Why worry if you have a clean slate?
Therefore, honesty is the firmest foundation upon which friendships, companionships, movements and the like are built; without honesty, all these actions are prone to failure.
On the contrary, most misbehaviors and disputes among families and friends, and even quarrels arise from untruthfulness and dishonesty. Hypocrisy and deception are manifestations of dishonesty in words or action. In fact, many divorces occur due to dishonesty during the process before marriage in terms of sayings, claims, and promises.
Truthfulness is the key to the paradise of mercy and telling lies opens the door to the plethora of disgrace. This is the same disgrace Imam Askari (PBUH) has noted. Indeed these words are full of light …
(The above is a selection taken from “The Moralities of Social Interaction”, by Jawad Muhaddithi (with some changes))
The Roshd Website offers condolences to all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon the 8th of Rabi al-Awwal, the anniversary of the martyrdom of the truthful Imam and the father of Imam Mahdi (PBUH), Imam Hassan al-Askari (PBUH).
Footnotes:
1. A’laam al-Din, p. 313
2. “The nearest of you to me on the Day of Judgment is the most truthful, most trustworthy, most loyal to oath, best mannered, and the closest to people among you”. (La’ali al-Akhbar, vol. 5. Hadith 253)