Truthfulness

            “ O. Ye who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are truthful” (Meaning of Quran 9:119).

            Many understand truthfulness as speaking only what is true, but in fact it is a general way of behavior and a characteristic of the Muslim in his apparent and inner personality that manifests itself in his words and actions. Following is a discussion of some sides of this Islamic noble deed.

1- Truthfulness in Shouldering Islam

            We mean by this that a Muslim adherence to the teaching of Islam be based on truthfulness with Allah and not on hypocrisy, deception or adjustment to the surrounding social life. For this reason, truthfulness in Quran is mentioned opposed to hypocrisy “ that Allah may reward the men of truth for their truth, and punish the hypocrites if that be his well, or turn to them in mercy” (Meaning of Quran 33:24).

            It is necessary to have the belief that is inside along with Islam that is apparent on the outside. It is necessary to have the right belief in Allah, the last day, the angels, the original books and the prophets. The outer guided behavior must be consistent with the inner beliefs and convictions.

            * Here is a trap of Satan that suggests to the Da'iah giving up some of the good apparent deeds because his inner belief is not as good that leads him to think that this is an act of deception. This is a big mistake because the good deeds one perform are mere results of the goodness and truthfulness of his heart as long as he does not do them just for reputation or for deception of the believers.

2- Truthfulness in Sayings

            Truthfulness in sayings is an indication of a clear personality with valor, nobility and generosity. No one would resort to lying except a wicked mean weak person. Good instinct considers lying a hated shameful action and for this reason it is prohibited and incriminated by all revealed religions. Therefore a Da'iah should not allow lies to come out from him. Some Da'iahs resort to "allusions" frequently by saying something which people will perceive in a different meaning. At a later time when they understand what the Da'iah meant, they may accuse him of lying. Another bad result of using allusions is the acceptance of "white lies" on the pretext that they are for the common interest. So, beware!

            My brother the Da'iah, do not lie even when you think the situation forces you to do so, and remember the words of Abu Sufian when Hercules asked him about the prophet (peace be upon him) . He said “ By Allah, had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the prophet (peace be upon him)” (AlBukhari 7). This man being a "jahili" (holding on to the beliefs of Arabs before Islam) had avoided lying because he was afraid that he be one day labeled a liar even though he was in a great need to lie. Today, we know Da'iahs are being targets of numerous attacks. Therefore, the Da'iah should avoid all actions that weaken his position.

3- Truthfulness in Deeds

            Deeds of person must be intended purely as a worship for Allah and away from desire of getting good reputation. “ Whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as a partner” (Meaning of Quran 18:110). “ He who created death and life, that He may try which of you is best in deed ” (Meaning of Quran 67:2).

            AlFudail Ibn Iyadh explained "best in deed" as the most sincere and most correct of deed. He was asked about the meaning of "most sincere and most correct of deed" and he replied: If the work was sincere but not correct it will not be accepted, and if it was correct but not sincere it will not be accepted; it will be accepted only if it is both sincere and correct.

            Clarity, avoidance of ambiguity and avoidance of deception are also aspects of truthfulness of deeds. Abu Dawood and AlNisai reported “ that Othman Ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) brought AbdAllah Ibn Saad Ibn Abi AlSarh to the prophet (peace be upon him) while the prophet had ordered that he be killed by any Muslim capturing him. Othman asked the prophet (peace be upon him) to accept AbdAllah's plight of fealty. The prophet (peace be upon him) raised his head and looked at him three times, every time rejecting his plight and then accepting after the third time. The prophet (peace be upon him) then turned to his companions and said: isn't there amongst you an intelligent one who would kill this man when he saw me refraining to give him my hand to accept his plight. They replied: O. Prophet of Allah, we do not know what is inside your heart. Why haven't you signaled to us with your eye? He (peace be upon him) said it is not fit for a prophet to have treacherous eyes” (Reported by Abu Dawood 2683, AlNisai 4067, AlHakim 3/45, Also see Abu Dawood 3094, Ahmad 3/151, and the series of authentic hadeeths 1723).

            To this extent was the truthfulness of the deeds of the prophet (peace be upon him) . He did not accept to use an obscure eye signal to order the killing of his enemy. This was his habit and practice (peace be upon him) all his life. For this reason, the polytheists couldn't accuse him of lying in the early stages of his Da’wah to Islam. They resorted to labeling him with poetry, magic or craziness but people didn't accept this and when they couldn't fabricate any new accusations they cried loudly: He is a liar, but in vain.

            AlTirmithi reported that “ AbdAllah Ibn Salam (may Allah be pleased with him) said: when the prophet (peace be upon him) arrived at Madinah, people rushed to receive him, and it was said: Allah's messenger (peace be upon him) had arrived, Allah's messenger (peace be upon him) had arrived, Allah's messenger (peace be upon him) had arrived. So I went along with the people to see him and when I fixed my eyes on his face I knew that it wasn't a face of a liar and the first words he spoke were: " O. people, spread alsalam (greeting), and offer food, and pray while people are asleep so that you enter heaven with peace” (Ahmad 5/451, AlTirmithi 2485, Ibn Majah 3251).

            Indeed, the truthfulness of the prophet (peace be upon him) flowed from his heart to his words and was manifested on his noble face. Whoever looked at his countenance, its light and its purity will read in it the truthfulness and will admit that his face is not a face of a liar.

            We need the kind of Da'iahs who preferred the truthfulness in their sayings and deeds to the point that it becomes a nature that flows with their blood and shows on their faces, so that when people see them they say those aren't the faces of liars.

            We are also in need of Da'iahs who beautify themselves with noble deeds and who will keep their calmness and moderation even when provoked, so that when people see them they will say loudly: These are the manners of the prophets.

            Our truthfulness in shouldering our Da’wah is what makes other accept our religion. It is not fit for us to be like the actor on the stage having an appearance different from his reality. One as this will soon be exposed and people turn away from him.

            It was reported that when one of the venerable forefathers preached he would touch the hearts and people would start to weep in all the place while if someone else who had more eloquence and knowledge preached, people would not receive him similarly. The son of the good preacher asked him about this. The preacher said: It is not the same a woman crying for losing her son and another who was hired to cry.

            We conclude that the first mean for the success of the Da'iah is his truthfulness in shouldering the Da’wah, his seriousness in pursuing it and that truthfulness in sayings and actions be his banner and way of life. It is not important to say sweet beautiful words -- even if it is required -- but what is more important is truthfulness, being consistent and in harmony with oneself and that words are spoken out of self experience. It was said that if the word came out of the heart, it would touch the heart, but if it came out of the mouth it would not go past the ears.

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