Hadith #9131

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "لاحَياءَ لِكَذّاب۔" This can be translated into English as,

The habitual liar has no shame.

Let us delve into the significance of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (la haya) "لاحَياءَ" in this Hadith refers to a lack of shame or modesty. It signifies the absence of a moral compass that guides one's actions and prevents them from engaging in deceitful behavior. The word (kathab) "كَذّاب" means a liar, specifically someone who habitually and persistently lies.

In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and warns against the consequences of lying. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11), Allah says,

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

This verse highlights the importance of treating others with respect and refraining from mocking or belittling them. It also warns against using offensive nicknames, which can be a form of lying or spreading falsehoods about others. The lack of shame in the habitual liar is evident in their disregard for the consequences of their actions and their failure to uphold the values of honesty and integrity.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:42), Allah says,

And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].

This verse emphasizes the importance of speaking the truth and not distorting it by mixing it with falsehood. The habitual liar, lacking haya, is unable to differentiate between truth and falsehood and may intentionally conceal the truth for personal gain or to deceive others.

The consequences of habitual lying are severe, both in this world and the hereafter. In Surah An-Nahl (16:105), Allah says,

Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah will not succeed.

This verse serves as a reminder that those who persistently lie, especially about matters related to Allah and His religion, will ultimately face failure and humiliation.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the moral decay and lack of integrity that accompanies habitual lying. It serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of truthfulness and the need to cultivate a sense of shame and modesty in our actions and speech.

A habitual liar not only deceives others but also loses the trust and respect of those around them. Their lies create a web of falsehood that ultimately leads to their own downfall. Moreover, the absence of haya in a person's character reflects a lack of consciousness and accountability towards Allah.

Reflecting on this Hadith, Muslims should strive to embody the qualities of honesty, integrity, and haya in their daily lives. By speaking the truth and avoiding lies, we uphold the teachings of the Quran and the example set by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions. Let us remember that the path of truthfulness leads to success and the pleasure of Allah, while the path of the habitual liar leads to disgrace and loss.

May Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to be truthful and grant us the strength to resist the temptation of lying. May He purify our hearts from deceit and grant us the ability to live with haya, upholding the values of honesty and integrity in all aspects of our lives.