a categorical assertion that, if it came, they would not believe, and that We turn their hearts and eyes away, just as they did not believe in it the first time.

Hence some of the early generations, such as Saʿīd ibn Jubayr, said: “Part of the reward for a good deed is another good deed that follows it, and part of the punishment for an evil deed is another evil deed that follows it.”

It is authentically reported in the two Sahīh collections, from Ibn Masʿūd, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Adhere to truthfulness, for truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to speak the truth and strive to be truthful until he is recorded with Allah as utterly truthful. Beware of lying, for lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. A man continues to lie and deliberately pursue falsehood until he is recorded with Allah as a habitual liar.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, thus explained that truthfulness is a foundation that necessarily leads to righteousness, and that lying necessarily leads to wickedness. Allah, exalted is He, says:

“Indeed, the righteous will be in bliss, and indeed, the wicked will be in a blazing Fire.”

For this reason, when some religious teachers instructed a follower to repent and wished neither to alienate him nor to divide his attention, they would instruct him to be truthful.

This is also why truthfulness and sincerity were mentioned so frequently in the words of religious teachers and leaders, to the point that they would say: “Tell anyone who is not truthful not to follow me.”

They would also say: “Truthfulness is Allah’s sword on earth: whatever it is brought to bear upon, it cuts through.” Yūsuf ibn Asbāt and others would say: “No servant is ever true to Allah without Allah acting in his favor.” There are many similar sayings.

Truthfulness and sincerity are, in reality, the true realization of faith and Islam, for