(al-Tawbah 9:74).

Lying, then, is undoubtedly a source of suspicion and anxiety. The liar is forever asking himself, “Have people found out that I lied or not?”—and so he remains trapped in doubt and inner turmoil.

Thus, this ḥadith teaches that one must give up lying for the sake of truthfulness, for lying breeds misgivings whereas truthfulness brings serenity. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Leave what makes you doubtful for what leaves you in no doubt.” Allah alone grants success.

56 — From Abū Sufyān Ṣakhr ibn Ḥarb ⦗may Allah be pleased with him⦘—in his well-known, lengthy narration about Heraclius. Heraclius asked him, “What does he—that is, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him—command you?” Abū Sufyān replied, “He says: ‘Worship Allah alone and associate nothing with Him; abandon what your forefathers say; and he commands us to pray, to speak the truth, to remain chaste, and to strengthen family ties.’” (Agreed upon.)

COMMENTARY

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—cites here the words of Abū Sufyān Ṣakhr ibn Ḥarb ⦗may Allah be pleased with him⦘. At that time Abū Sufyān was still a polytheist; he did not accept Islam until later, sometime between the Treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyah and the Conquest of Mecca. The Treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyah took place in the sixth year after the Hijrah, while the Conquest of Mecca occurred in the eighth year.