face, as Allah has told us. Thus, it is reported that ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb ordered that a false witness be punished by having his face blackened and being made to ride backwards on an animal. For the punishment corresponds to the offence: since he had blackened his face through lying and reversed the account, his face was blackened and his position when riding was reversed. This is perceptible to anyone with an understanding heart, for the light and darkness, good and evil within the heart often spread to the face and eyes, which are more closely connected to the heart than anything else.

Thus, it is related from ʿUthmān, or someone else, that he said: “No one conceals anything within himself without Allah revealing it in his facial expressions and slips of the tongue.” Allah has told us in the Quran that this may appear on the face, saying:

“If We willed, We could show them to you, and you would recognize them by their marks.” [Surah Muhammad 30]

This is subject to His will. Then He says:

“And you will surely recognize them by the tone of their speech.” [Surah Muhammad 30]

This, however, is affirmed by an oath: it is certain and unconditional. For what lies within a person’s heart is revealed more clearly by his tongue than by his face. Yet it does appear on the face in a subtle way that Allah makes known. Once it becomes an established trait, it becomes apparent to many people. The darkness and the cast of the features may become so pronounced that they are apparent to people generally. A person may even be transformed into an ape or a pig, as happened among the nations before us and also within this nation.

This is like a melodious voice: when its words contain lies and immorality, it is characterized by ugliness and evil that outweigh the sweetness of its sound.