"The Hadith "Adhere to Truthfulness
The Hadith "Adhere to Truthfulness..." is Among the Greatest Miracles of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, by His Noble Face and His Primordial Authority, from Satan the accursed. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
One of the greatest miracles of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) is his saying:
"Adhere to truthfulness, for truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to tell the truth and strives to be truthful until he is written with Allah as a Siddiq (truthful/veracious). And beware of lying, for lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. A man continues to lie and strives to lie until he is written with Allah as a Kadhdhab (a liar)." (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
This noble Hadith is not merely a moral directive; it is an integrated methodology for life that maps out the path for human behavior and destiny. The greatness of this Hadith lies in its establishment of the "Law of Moral Accumulation"; a small act, through persistence, transforms into a disposition, and that disposition determines one’s final destiny.
Here are reflective pauses on this prophetic miracle from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), who does not speak of his own desire—it is but inspiration sent down to him:
1. The Chain of "Continuous Guidance"
The Prophet (PBUH) linked speech, action, and consequence in a logical and profound sequence:
Truthfulness → Righteousness: Honesty in speech yields rectitude in action.
Righteousness → Paradise: Righteous conduct is the path leading to the pleasure of Allah Almighty.
Lying → Wickedness: A small lie breaks the barrier of fearing sin, which drags one into wickedness (unrestrained indulgence in disobedience).
Wickedness → The Fire: A collapse in morals inevitably leads to ruin.
2. The Concept of "Tahari" (Striving: The Secret of Change)
The word "Tahari" (striving/seeking) is the key to the miracle in this Hadith. It implies intention, effort, and the pursuit of truth even in difficult situations. This confirms that truthfulness is a trait that can be acquired through training and self-struggle; it is not merely an innate temperament one is born with.
3. Transformation into "Identity"
Ultimately, a person is not just called "truthful," but is written with Allah as a "Siddiq" (an intensive form meaning one who is habitually and intensely truthful). The same applies to the liar. This means that a person’s status with the Creator is determined by what has become settled in their character and has become their defining trait.
Summary of the Prophetic Comparison
Point of Comparison: The Path of Truthfulness vs The Path of Lying
Beginning: Seeking truth and intention vs Leniency with falsehood
Course: Righteousness (the sum of all good) vs Wickedness (deviation from obedience)
Destiny: Paradise vs The Fire
Title with Allah: Siddiq (Truthful) vs Kadhdhab (Liar)
"Truthfulness is tranquility, and lying is doubt," as the Prophet (PBUH) said in another Hadith. This explains why truthfulness leads to righteousness; a tranquil soul is more capable of doing good.
One of the subtleties of the Hadith "Adhere to truthfulness..." is that whoever reads it with contemplation feels as if they are looking at the "fingerprint" of the Messenger (PBUH). The core of this Hadith is the exhortation to truthfulness, and the Messenger (PBUH) is the most truthful of all creation. This Hadith is a mirror of the speaker's personality.
Why is this Hadith considered a Prophetic "Fingerprint"?
Unity of State and Speech: The Prophet (PBUH) was known for truthfulness before and after his mission, to the point that even his enemies bore witness to it. When he says "Adhere to truthfulness," he is calling to a path of which he is the master and leader.
Sequential Logic: The Hadith builds a logical and moral bridge that starts with a word and ends with destiny. This clarity of vision reflects Prophetic wisdom in upbringing.
Striving and Self-Struggle: A brilliant insight (inspired by Allah) is found in the phrase "strives for truthfulness." Truthfulness is not a fleeting word but a constant intention, which explains how a human reaches the rank of Siddiqiyyah—the highest rank for humans after Prophethood.
Final Reflections:
Habit Building: The Hadith focuses on the fact that repeated behavior (Tahari) ends in the formulation of identity (Written with Allah).
The Link Between Inward and Outward: Truthfulness is not just on the tongue; it is the key to "Righteousness," a comprehensive term for all types of good in actions and intentions.
"There is no quality more beloved to Allah than truthfulness, and none more hated to Him than lying." These words summarize the essence of emulation (Iqtida). A believer does not read the text merely to memorize it, but to catch the scent of Prophethood within it and sense the greatness of the role model.
And our final prayer is that all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.