Prophetic Hadiths on Honesty
Honesty is a noble trait and a commendable virtue, for which Allah – the Almighty – rewards abundantly. Allah has stated: “On the Day of Judgment, the truthfulness of the truthful will be of benefit to them; they will have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Allah will be pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great triumph.” Below are some important prophetic hadiths regarding honesty:
Hadiths on the Virtue of Honesty
Several hadiths highlight the significance and benefits of honesty:
- Honesty is a pathway to Paradise.
The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Indeed, honesty leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will continue to tell the truth until he is recorded as truthful. Conversely, lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. A man will keep lying until he is recorded as a liar with Allah.”
Furthermore, the Prophet – peace be upon him – remarked: “Guarantee me six from yourselves, and I will guarantee you Paradise: be truthful when you speak, fulfill your promises, be trustworthy when entrusted, guard your private parts, lower your gaze, and restrain your hands.”
- Honesty is a source of comfort and tranquility.
Imam Hasan ibn Ali – may Allah be pleased with them – stated: “I heard from the Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him -: ‘Leave that which causes you doubt for that which does not cause you doubt; for indeed, honesty is peace of mind, while lying is doubt.’
- Honesty holds great value in the hearts of people.
The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said: “Four qualities, if they are found in you, do not worry about what you miss in this world: maintaining trust, speaking the truth, having good character, and being virtuous in sustenance.”
- Honesty brings blessings.
The Prophet – peace be upon him – stated: “The two parties in a sale have the option (to nullify) as long as they have not parted; if they are honest and clarify, they will be blessed in their transaction. But if they lie and conceal, the blessings of their sale are erased.”
- Honesty is the dearest speech to the Prophet – peace be upon him.
The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – proclaimed: “The most beloved speech to me is that which is honest.”
Hadiths Describing the Prophet’s Honesty
The Prophet – peace be upon him – was the most truthful of people. Here are some hadiths that speak of his honesty:
- When the Prophet – peace be upon him – returned frightened from the Cave of Hira after encountering the revelation of Gabriel – peace be upon him – Khadijah – may Allah be pleased with her – comforted him, saying: “By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you; you maintain family ties, speak the truth…”
- Abdullah ibn Abbas – may Allah be pleased with them – narrated: Abu Sufyan told me that Heraclius asked him: “I asked you what your Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – commands you. You claimed he instructed you to pray and to be truthful… This is a characteristic of a prophet.”
- Abdullah ibn Abbas – may Allah be pleased with them – reported: “When the verse ‘And warn your closest relatives’ was revealed, the Prophet – peace be upon him – climbed Mount Safa and called out: ‘O Banu Hashim, O Banu Abd Manaf’—referring to the clans of Quraysh—until they gathered. Each man who could not come personally sent someone to see what was happening. Abu Lahab and the Quraysh came, and he asked: ‘If I inform you that there are cavalry in the valley coming to attack you, will you believe me?’ They said: ‘Yes, we have only experienced truth from you.’