Truthfulness 2
Written by: SK.
Younis Salih
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
11
Jumada Ola 1429H
16
May
2008AC
All thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. And peace and prayers be
upon the messenger.
Allah says in His book:
O
you who believe (you who have faith), fear Allah and be with the truthful
ones9:19.
This verse
from the Chapter of Tobah is one of the last verses to be revealed to the
messenger (PPBU). This Chapter was brought down soon after the famous battle
of Tabook.
Muslims then were in difficulty, drought and distress. There was extremely
dryness, misfortune and heat. People were seeking shade and awaiting harvest
to ripe. It is at that time when a call for Jihad is issued to go and face
the Romans in their land. Muslims were almost competing in getting ready and
giving support to the army. The only men stayed back were a hypocrite, or
those excused by Allah from fighting, or three men who kept putting it off
until it was too late to catch up with the moving army. Later on when the
messenger (PPBU) returned they were honest and truthful about what happened.
They did not lie as the hypocrites did. The hypocrites gave false excuses.
Their stories were told in the Koran.
When one carefully thinks of this verse, and the occasion with which it was
dealing with, one will notice an important issue that deserves much
thinking. This verse addresses the believers to be with those who are
truthful. That consequently excludes the hypocrites.
The when considering the believers, that included those who immigrated with
the messenger (PPBU) and the supporters who supported the messenger and
supported those who immigrated. It is those who are included in the group of
truthful ones. That group also included those three men who stayed behind,
but they adopted the truth about it and did not use lies for excuses as did
the hypocrites. So, what is the important issue then? It is that for an
individual to be amongst those who are truthful words are not enough. There
is another side of truthfulness which is more than just being truthful in
words. Allah says:
It
wouldn’t have been for the people of the Madina and its surroundings to stay
back from mobilising with the Messenger, and would put themselves before him.
This is just part of the description of those who are truthful. The most
hurtful giving out which can be pointed to a truthful believer is to be told
that he/she puts himself above what the Messenger (PPBU) himself was put
through. Or put himself before the Messenger (PPBU). Or would feel petty for
him self in facing something which the beloved Messenger himself has faced.
If kind of statement and all the meanings it carries with it was used to
address that group of people who Allah was pleased with, and they were
pleased with Allah, in order to be with those who are truthful. Then would
that not make us to look at ourselves and ask whether we are with those who
are truthful?
A question fit for each of us to ask him self. But before we come up with
the answer, just take your time to realize the reality of that truthfulness,
and what are the characteristics of those included in that group; those with
whom Allah commanded us to be. Many people think being truthful means merely
to speak the truth. There is no doubt that speaking the truth is vital, but
that is just one side of being truthful. One can not reach the status of
truthfulness (Siddiq) unless all its requirements become part of the
individual. The reality of truthfulness include the sincerity of the
intention, and the will, and the sincerity of the words and the sincerity of
the deed or action and the sincerity of the all matters. Ebn Taymia said
that truthfulness is in words and deeds.
The first corner stone of truthfulness is the sincerity of the intention and
the will:
This means that the main incentive of all actions, deeds or refraining from
doing an act is Allah; And also to have the inferiors of intentions and
thoughts as the same as the exteriors shown in words and actions. If one
spoken words differ to what is in his heart then this indicates lack of
truth in the intentions. This is a feature of the hypocrites.
Also part of the truthfulness of the intention is being truthful in the
resolve to do a deed if one gets the chance to do it. Part of that is for
example for one to promise God to give to charity if God gives him money; Or
for example to make a promise to keep up a worship act if God brings him to
health after sickness. If the resolve to fulfill a promise to God becomes
weak or hesitant then this becomes some type of lying and hypocrisy. Allah
says:
And
there are those who make a promise or a covenant to Allah that if He favors
us with riches we shall give charity and we shall be good. And when He
brought them favors from Him they became stingy, they retracted their
pledges with defiance. He consequently put into their hearts hypocrisy that
shall remain till the day they shall meet Him with what they retracted from,
and with what they promised Him and with what lies they had.
Truthfulness also means to fulfill any promises or pledges one makes once
one is able.
The second corner stone of Truthfulness is being truthful in the spoken
words:
This is one of the greatest levels of truthfulness, and the harder to keep.
This type of truthfulness has three pre-requisites:
1)
Being truthful in reporting events and news:
This of course will require certainty of what is being reported, and the
avoidance of assumptions and doubts, imagination and delusions. Also beware
from telling of everything one hears. The messenger (PPBU) said: {There is
enough lying for and individual in just telling all that he hears}. He also
said: {be warned against doubt. For doubt is the most lying of all speech}.
What would be included into this category is condemning and talking falsely
of scholars for the purpose of defaming them. Such criticism is taken up by
others for truth and without rechecking its sources or its proofs. Allah
say: :
And
when you address with your tongs and say with your mouths what you have no
knowledge of. You think it is minor when with Allah it is major. When you
hear it you ought to say “We should not talk of this; All praise is to you;
This is great fabrication.
Ebn el-Abbas said that means don’t say it (or don’t repeat it). And also
don’t say things about others which you do not know. This type of
truthfulness requires that a speaker should seek the truth in what they say
before they say it. Also it requires that when one speaks to Allah is to
consider the truth in what he or she say; such as to say: I am directing my
face to the creator of the heavens and earth. If the person here has his or
her heart busy with what this life offers of unacceptable impulses and
animalistic instincts then he would be lying.
2)
Truthfulness in fulfilling a promise:
Whether the promise is in a specific place, or a specific time, or for a
promise to donate something, or a marriage matter or anything for which a
promise is made. Truthfulness in words necessitates fulfillment of the
spoken word and never to be broken. Unfortunately; in reality we rarely find
such truth in people, and very few people who care to maintain it.
3)
Truthfulness in keeping up contracts and treaties:
Whether it is a contract with Allah, or His messenger (PPBU), or with
anybody else, respecting and keeping such contracts or treaties or
agreements is a requirement of being truthful. And breaking them, is one of
the requirements of being a liar or a hypocrite. Allah says:
And
keep up Allah’s covenant is you make one. And do not renege the pledges
after they are verified a guarantor (or a sponsor) over you. Allah knows all
that you do.
Fulfilling a pledge made to Allah requires believing that worship is
deserved by Him alone; And accepting arbitration through His law alone. It
also requires disbelieving in other gods. This is concept of truth in the
testimony of: “No God But Allah” uttered by the faithful and the believers.
Also fulfilling the messenger’s promise requires living in his example,
seeking it; and put and take his word before and above the word of any other
human. This is the essence of the testimony that Muhammad is the messenger
of Allah. So, anyone who does not fulfill any part of that then they are a
liar. Allah says in a reply to the statement made by hypocrites which says:
We testify that you are the messenger of Allah; Allah says: :
and
if the hypocrites come to you and say we testify that you are the messenger
of Allah, and Allah knows that you are His messenger, and Allah testifies
that the hypocrites are liars
.
With regard to fulfilling a promise made to people; the Islamic law
considers breaking it or betraying it is one of the worse types of lying. In
fact betraying a promise made to any person is considered one of the corner
stones of hierocracy. The characteristics of hypocrites were stated by the
messenger (PPBU) when he said: {Four characteristics if they all are present
in an individual then he or she is pure hypocrite. And one of those traits
is in an individual then he or she has one of the traits of hypocrisy. If he
talks then he lies. And if he makes a promise he breaks. And if he gives a
pledge of peace or security he betrays. And if he disputes or goes into
conflict; he cheats}. The messenger also said: {faith and disbelief will not
be gathered in one human heart; and neither will being truthful and lying,
nor neither will betrayal (treachery) and trustworthiness}
The third corner stone of Truthfulness is being truthful in the deeds or
actions:
This requires that a human to strive with him self to have both his/her
interior and exterior be the same. And that his or her acts should not
indicate something internal which does not exist. Like some one who pretends
to be obedient and god-fearing to Allah while the heart is not. Yazeed ebd
Harith said: “if the interior is the same as the exterior for some one; then
that is half the battle. And if his interior is better than his exterior;
then that is even better. But if his exterior is better than his interior
then that is paradise at its best”
The forth corner stone of Truthfulness is being truthful in the context of
religion:
The highest and most glorified level is the truth in the heart. Truth, hope,
love, contentment, certainty, putting full trust and confidence in Allah,
and all similar matters are concepts which people vary greatly in acquiring
or possessing. For example, any who believes in Allah and the day of
judgment is certain to be fearful. But, it is not true fear with any
realistic level, if it does not materialize when he or she commits something
wrong or a sin. When; on the other hand if he becomes fearful of a ruler or
a criminal; he goes pale in the face, trembles or restless in his daily
life.
Look at those who fail to attend the Friday prayers; or may not even do
prayers at all; don’t they all claim that they fear Allah the Lord of the
worlds? And this who breaks the day Ramadan with no justification, doesn’t
he claim that he fears Allah the Lord of the worlds? And this, who steals,
cheats, deceives, commits adultery and deals with usury (or deals in
interest); doesn’t each one of them claim that they fear Allah the Lord of
the worlds? And all these women extravagantly showing their beauty, those
who dress up to show more; don’t they claim that they fear Allah the Lord of
the worlds? How many people claim to fear Allah and they show the opposite
and absolute contrary of such claim. Allah says in the Koran talking to His
messenger:
And
say to them: if you love Allah then follow me and Allah will love you.
Dear brothers and sisters, this is the reality of the truth and its
foundations. It as we saw does not depend on merely talking the truth in
words. That is just one of its corners. Allah says:
Devotion
(fidelity and loyalty) is not to direct your faces east and west, but
devotion is this who believes and have faith in Allah and the day after.
This is a clear indication that truthfulness is by both seen exterior acts
and unseen interior acts. Allah also says:
The
believers (or the Faithful) are those who believe or have faith in Allah and
His messenger; then they have no doubts, and they strive with their money
and souls in the line of Allah. These are the truthful ones.
We ask Allah to give us knowledge which will be of benefit, and a good
accepted deed. And all thanks be to Allah.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
