truthfulness and its corollaries: be truthful as the truthful are, and do not be with the liars. This is as in His words:
“And bow with those who bow.”
[Surah al-Baqarah: 43],
and His words:
“Those who obey Allah and the Messenger will be with those upon whom Allah has bestowed His favor: the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous.”
[Surah al-Nisā’: 69],
and likewise His words:
“Such people are with the believers, and Allah will grant the believers a tremendous reward.”
[Surah al-Nisā’: 146].
Or it may mean: Be with the truthful in every matter, even if it is unrelated (1) to truthfulness.
The second interpretation is false, since a person is not required to be with the truthful in permissible matters such as eating, drinking, clothing, and the like. Since the first interpretation is the correct one, there is no command (2) here to be with any particular person. Rather, the intended meaning is: Be truthful and do not lie.
As the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said in an authentic hadith:
“You must adhere to truthfulness, for truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness (3) leads to Paradise. A man will continue to speak truthfully and make truthfulness his aim until he is recorded with Allah as a man of consummate truthfulness. Beware of lying, for lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. A man will continue to lie and make lying his aim until he is recorded with Allah as an inveterate liar.” (4).