488. Lying

By Asma Bint Shameem

Lying is a major sin and is a sign of hypocrisy. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

"The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is entrusted with something he breaks that trust." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

We will be accountable to Allaah for all the lying we’ve done in our lives unless we make sincere Taubah. 

We as Muslims can never lie unless under very specific or severe situations,  for example 

-when life is in danger

- when we want to reconcile among people, 

- during war and 

- when a husband or wife want to please each other.

Umm Kalthoom Radhi Allah anhaa said that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"He is not a liar who reconciles between people, conveying good messages and saying good things." 

She said: 

“I did not hear him grant any concession concerning anything that the people say of lies except in three cases: reconciling between people, war, and what a man says to his wife, or a woman says to her husband.”

 (Muslim)

And Allaah knows best