So loose talk is all too common among us, and the Messenger of Allah — peace and blessings be upon him — said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or else remain silent.” We ask Allah to aid us and you in overcoming our own selves, and to grant us success in saying and doing what He loves and approves.

1542 – ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah — peace and blessings be upon him — said: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to speak the truth until he is recorded with Allah as a ṣiddīq (a man of unwavering truth). Lying leads to depravity, and depravity leads to the Fire. A man continues to lie until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.” (Agreed upon.)

Explanation
We have already discussed the two Qur’anic verses that the author — may Allah have mercy on him — cited at the beginning of this chapter, the Chapter on the Prohibition of Lying, after which he brought several ḥadiths. Among them is the ḥadith of ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) in which the Prophet — peace and blessings be upon him — said:
“Beware of lying, for lying leads to depravity, and depravity leads to the Fire. A man will keep lying and deliberately seeking out lies until he is written with Allah as a liar. And hold fast to truthfulness, for truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will keep speaking the truth and striving for truthfulness until he is written with Allah as a ṣiddīq.”

In this ḥadith the Prophet — peace and blessings be upon him — warns us against lying: “Beware of lying,” meaning stay far away from it and avoid it completely. This includes every form of lying; therefore, the opinion of those who claim that lying is permissible so long as it does not harm others is invalid.