Lying is frequently employed by some of those who foolishly eschew the morals of the Qur’an to mislead others. Various reasons prompt a man to lie: to avoid others’ criticisms, to lay the grounds for a dishonest argument or to attain superiority. However, no matter what the reason, this is an act forbidden by Allah. In the Qur’an, He praises those who are truthful and curses liars:
If anyone argues with you about him after the knowledge that has come to you, say, ‘Come then! Let us summon our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves. Then let us make earnest supplication and call down the curse of Allah upon the liars.’ (Surah Al ‘Imran; 61)
Every inaccurate word uttered with the intent to mislead someone is a lie. But a person may say something incorrect unintentionally or simply out of forgetfulness. A person who does not seek to mislead another loses no time in correcting his words. However, a deliberate lie is based on evil intention: the liar has a purpose. Therefore, Allah holds him liable for his intentions. As commanded in the verse below, Muslims must always speak the truth:
You who believe! Have taqwa of Allah and speak the right word. (Surat al-Ahzab; 70)
Even if an unintentional word escapes from his mouth in an unguarded moment, a Muslim will immediately make up for it. He will never deliberately try to mislead someone, knowing that he will have give an account of his actions in the Hereafter; for this is a thing to be condemned both in the Hereafter and in this world.
Our holy Prophet (saas) tells us this in the hadiths about avoiding telling lies:
"The least lovable creatures in the Sight of Allah on the Day of Reckoning are the liars, the proud and those who harbor ruthless hatred for their brothers in their breasts..." (Imam Gazali, İhya'u Ulum'id-din, Vol. 3, p. 355)
Narrated 'Abdullah:
The Prophet said, "Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Al-Fajur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fajur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar." (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 116; Sahih Muslim)
