The Punishment of the Liar in the Hadith of Samurah and the Danger of Lying in the Media

The questioner:
In Sahih al-Bukhari, from Samurah, in a long hadith known among scholars as the Hadith of the Vision, it is mentioned that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw people being punished, among them a liar whose mother is being torn open into his navel. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked about him, and the two angels said: or as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said. The question is: Honorable Shaykh, does this hadith indicate that some sinners will be subjected to the punishment of the grave until they are covered, as in this hadith?

The Shaykh:
Yes, some of them will have the punishment prolonged until the Day of Resurrection, there is no doubt in that. And some of them, who are believers, will have their punishment end. They are not all on the same level. This serves as a warning against lying, may Allah protect us, especially lying about Allah and His Messenger; for instance, claiming that Allah has made something lawful or forbidden without knowledge and without evidence, or that one knows it is wrong but does it for worldly interests, or to gain status among people, or to please the desires of people. This is the most severe form of lying, may Allah protect us. Likewise, lying to people by deceiving them to consume their wealth or for other purposes. Lying is a dangerous disease, may Allah protect us, and the greatest of it is lying about Allah. Who is more unjust than one who fabricates a lie about Allah?

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh Muhammad.

The Shaykh:
In this time when lying spreads rapidly through the media, this is a great danger. Those who declare things lawful or forbidden according to their desires, without knowledge and without evidence, are to be feared lest they be afflicted with this punishment, may Allah protect us, because it spreads among the people, and they take it upon themselves and act upon it. Yes.