672. Refrain From Lying

 By Asma Bint Shameem

Lying is a major sin yet people take it so lightly. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Refrain from lying. For lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. 

A person will keep telling lies and trying hard to lie, until he is *recorded with Allaah as a liar.*" (al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

Astaghfirullaah imagine being known to Allaah as a liar!

Lying 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 can’t even lie in a joke!

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Woe to the one who talks to make the people laugh and tells lies, woe to him, woe to him.’” 

(at-Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud)

I can go on and on. 

The ahaadeeth are many. 

So 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)

So unless it’s your spouse, or it’s to save someone’s life or during war strategy etc., you cannot lie. 

If someone asks you a sensitive question that will make them sad or hurt them if you tell them the truth, then try and use words that double entendres. 

Double entendres is when you mean something other than the apparent meaning of the words or using phrases that are true but hide the reality. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“Double entendre refers to when a person means something other than the apparent meaning of the words. 

It is permissible subject to two conditions:  

1. that the word may be interpreted in that fashion

2. that there be no wrongdoing involved.”

So if someone asks you “Did you like my food?” You can say “Alhamdulillaah! Jazaak Allaah Khair sister I really appreciate it. You must have worked so hard to cook it. May Allaah reward you.”

And that would satisfy them. 

And if someone says “Am I pretty?” 

You can say lovingly “You know the most beautiful thing I like about you is your smile” or “your eyes” or “you’re so kind hearted” or whatever it is that you think is the best thing about them. 

And that will make them happy. 

So be smart and wise and use words that are true yet can be taken in a good way and not hurt them. 

And Allaah knows best