for Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger, truthful and trustworthy, whereas Musaylima is the liar. Allah Most High says:

“Who, then, is more unjust than one who lies about Allah and rejects the truth when it comes to him? Is there not a dwelling in Hell for the disbelievers? But those who bring the truth and affirm it—they are the God-fearing.”

Third: The quality that distinguishes the believer from the hypocrite is truthfulness, for lying is the foundation upon which hypocrisy is built. A believer may be naturally disposed to any trait except treachery and lying. In the two Sahīh collections, Anas ibn Mālik reported that Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“There are three traits which, if present in a person, make him a hypocrite: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks his promise; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.”

Fourth: Truthfulness is the foundation of righteousness, and lying is the foundation of wickedness. As reported in the two Sahīh collections, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Be truthful, 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 a person of utmost truthfulness. 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.”

Fifth: Angels descend upon the truthful, while devils descend upon liars, as Allah Most High says:

“Shall I tell you upon whom the devils descend? They descend upon every sinful liar. They pass on what they hear, and most of them are liars.”