Hadith #9099

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May 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,

بِالكِذْبِ يَتَزَيَّنُ أهْلُ النِّفاقِ۔

This translates to,

It is through lying that the hypocrites adorn themselves.

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

The word (kizb) "كِذْبِ" in this Hadith refers to lying or falsehood. Lying is a deliberate act of deceiving others by distorting the truth. It is a characteristic that is condemned in Islam, as it undermines trust and integrity within society. The word (yatazayyanu) "يَتَزَيَّنُ" means to adorn or beautify oneself. Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is highlighting how hypocrites use lying as a means to present themselves in a favorable light, concealing their true intentions and beliefs.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of truthfulness and warn against the consequences of lying. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:61),

Then whoever disputes with you concerning him [i.e., Jesus] after [all this] knowledge has come to you - say, 'Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then supplicate earnestly [together] and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars among us.'

This verse demonstrates the seriousness of lying, as it is associated with invoking the curse of Allah. It also highlights the importance of truthfulness in resolving disputes and seeking justice. Muslims are encouraged to uphold the truth and expose falsehood, rather than adorning themselves with lies like the hypocrites.

Another verse that sheds light on the consequences of lying is found in Surah Al-Hajj (22:30), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is best for him in the sight of his Lord. And permitted to you are the grazing livestock, except what is recited to you. So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement.

This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding false statements, as it is considered uncleanliness in the sight of Allah. It reminds Muslims to be mindful of their speech and to refrain from adorning themselves with lies, just as the hypocrites do.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the hypocrites who use lying as a means to deceive others and gain personal benefits. Their actions may seem appealing on the surface, but their true intentions are far from righteous. By adorning themselves with lies, they manipulate the perception of others and create a false image of piety and sincerity.

The consequences of lying are severe, both in this world and the hereafter. Lying erodes trust, damages relationships, and leads to the breakdown of society. Moreover, lying goes against the fundamental principles of Islam, which emphasize honesty, integrity, and sincerity. Muslims are encouraged to follow the example of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), who was known for his unwavering commitment to truth and justice.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we should strive to be truthful in all aspects of our lives. We should avoid adorning ourselves with lies and instead seek to establish a reputation of honesty and integrity. By doing so, we align ourselves with the teachings of the Quran and the noble example set by the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to the path of truthfulness and protect us from the deceit of the hypocrites.