An article on lying, pretty cliché you would say, we have been through this! Since time immemorial, the story of the boy who cried wolf has been passed down generations, articles, sermons, warnings and advises on ‘lying’ jam our minds.

Funny then it should seem, that with all the propaganda on lying, the act of lying yet remains the most rampant of sins to date.

We now have professional liars and lying is now considered an art! Elusive and endearing as it may be, it still is one of the most heinous crimes out there. Helas! If only we were to fathom the magnitude of this crime for definitely most of us take it very lightly to the extent that most of us fail to recognize ourselves as liars.

Hence in this article, I am not here to preach, persuade and lecture you all on how horrendous lying is, most of us probably know the punishments of lying etc. This article is for you and me to diagnose ourselves as to whether we are liars (intentionally or unintentionally)

This might come to you as a shock to you but here are the characteristics of the Liar:

1. Making many promises and making many excuses (Oh dear, this totally treads on our art of escaping situations making excuses)
2. Delaying and procrastinating (Bull’s eye!!)
3. Lack of adherence to covenants and lack of fulfilling promises
4. Excessiveness in speech if it is in his worldly favor and deficiency in speaking if it is beneficial for his Deen (practice of Islam)
5. Lack of haste in speaking the truth
6. Beautifying the speech to conceal the wrongs that he does to himself
7. He has no honour that encourages him to do good or prevents him doing evil

Oh heavens , who knew we were afflicted by so many symptoms, but do not despair, all is not lost, we can always improvise and although I said no sermonizing I do believe that I definitely should quote this hadith to you all:

The Messenger (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I guarantee a house in the middle of Paradise for a person who avoids lying, even if he was joking.”

[Abu Dawud ~ Hadith Sahih]

Bingo, not lying is a way to Jannah, so now let’s pull up our sleeves and pledge to be honest, I know it’s no piece of cake, but by seeking Allah’s help and remaining sincere, this will be a feat that we shall accomplish In Sha Allah.