Second: Truthfulness with Oneself
The truthful person with Allaah is the one whose intention is to seek Allaah’s Pleasure alone in every situation and action. The one who is truthful with himself is continually checking his intentions and wills.
E.g. A person gives Zakaat to a needy helper at his work with a hidden intention of encouraging him to serve him there. Since this hidden intention is not for the sake of Allaah, Allaah may nurture him and make the helper leave him, or travel, or show him bad behavior, etc.
It is a kind of lying to oneself to claim something openly whilst having a hidden (evil, insincere) intention.
Out of Allaah’s Mercy, one will be tested (through a trial) to distinguish his truthfulness from falsehood. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-‘Ankabut [29:2-3]:
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested.”
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ
“And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allaah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allaah knows all that before putting them to test).”
E.g. One ascribes humbleness to himself and tries to behave good and show compassion to those who are lower than him in rank like porters and helpers. However, if one of them fails in responding to him or obeying him, all his foolishness comes out and is shown. Many try to make their images shine in front of others through claims, but the truthful person is always concerned about his image and position with Allaah, not the people. Thus he is always checking his intention.
E.g. A person used to commit a certain sin. Then he returns in true repentance to Allaah and quits the sin. Allaah usually tests the truthfulness of one’s repentance by bringing the means of committing the sin again and making it easy for the person to commit it (e.g. listening to music, dealing with Riba (interest), working in a mixed environment, etc.) If he is truthful, he will not commit the sin. However, if he is not truthful, he may fall into the sin and fail the test with Allaah.
Only the truthful person will be saved by Allaah when his intention is only to seek the reward and pleasure of Allaah. Therefore, one should watch his actions whether minor or major, and beware of deviating from the way of truthfulness with Allaah.
Imaam Ahmad (Rahimahullaah) reported in his Musnad, a Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn Mas’oud (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed Allaah has set a parable of the straight path: At the sides of the path there are walls with open doors, each door having a curtain. There is a caller at the head of the path saying: ‘Be straight on the path, and do not deviate from it.’ Meanwhile, over him there is another caller calling everyone once he intends to open any of those doors: ‘Woe to you! Do not open it, for if you open it you will pass through.’ Then he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) explained it saying: ‘The straight path represents Islam, the open doors are the Hudood (sanctities-prohibitions) of Allaah; the hung curtains the set-limits of Allaah; the caller on the top of the path is the Qur’an; and the caller over him is the preacher of Allaah that lies within the heart of every faithful believer.’” [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 2348 and graded Saheeh]
This great parable shows us the extent of truthfulness of the slave in his procession on this Siraat (path) and his adherence to it, or he will not pass in this trial as Allaah mentioned in Surat Al-‘Ankabut [29:3]. The person who is proceeding to Allaah and to the attainment of His pleasure is like a man who walks on a straight path. If he proceeds without deviation, this indicates his truthfulness, and he reaches Allaah’s Pleasure and Jannah. At the sides of the path there are walls with open doors, each door having a curtain. It is commonly known that the door which has no lock does not need effort to open, nor does it take time, and there are many doors which bring man out of the way of truthfulness with Allaah. Therefore, this status requires one to struggle against himself and seek help from the Lord, as Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-‘Ankabut [29:69]:
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
“As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allaah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allaah is with the Muhsinun (good doers).”
Sources:
📚 Sharh Riyadh-us-Saliheen by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen
📚 Truthfulness with Allaah, by Shaikh Abdur-Razzq Al-Badr
📚 Truthfulness leads to Righteousness, workshop conducted by Shaikha Anaheed As-Simeeri
📚 Tayseer Al-Kareem by Shaikh As-Sa’dee
📚 Tafseer Ibn Katheer.
📚 Tafseer Ibn Katheer.
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Always feel free to share the khair!
