Exegesis of the saying of Allah the Exalted: ((And the truthful men and the truthful women...))

In faith, truthfulness is reporting what corresponds to this principle. The meaning of truthfulness is reporting what corresponds to reality. For example, if I tell you that this fan is working, that is truthfulness because it is reporting what corresponds to reality. If I said that this fan is not working, it would not be truthfulness because it is reporting what contradicts reality. But is truthfulness only in speech, or does truthfulness exist in speech, action, and belief? The answer is that truthfulness is in belief, by being sincere in devotion to Allah Mighty and Majestic in all one's deeds, truthful in belief such that it corresponds to what the Shari'ah brought, and truthfulness is also in speech, by not saying anything but the truth, even if the matter is against him [An-Nisa: 135]. And look at the result of truthfulness in the story of the three who lagged behind. Ya Tawfiq, they lagged behind from what?
The student: From the battle.
The Shaykh : From the battle. Yes, those who lagged behind.
The student: From the expedition of Tabuk?
The Shaykh : From the expedition of Tabuk. No, that is not correct. What did they lag behind from? We say from the expedition. We say they lagged behind, meaning their matter was postponed. That is, they came and reported the truth. The hypocrites used to come and say, "O Messenger of Allah, we have an excuse, we have an excuse," and he would seek forgiveness for them and entrust their inner secrets to Allah. But these three told the truth, so they lagged behind from what? From being judged with what the hypocrites were judged with. It is not meant that they lagged behind from the expedition. If that were the case, it would have said "those who lagged behind," referring to these three, who are Ka'b ibn Malik, Hilal ibn Umayyah, and Murarah ibn al-Rabi'. These three told the truth to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). The most eloquent of them in speech, the clearest in speech, and the most articulate in speech was Ka'b ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), because he was the youngest. He spoke astonishing words. It is good for you to review his story, because in reality it increases faith. These three told the truth. What was the result of their truthfulness? That Allah revealed a Book concerning them that will be recited until the Day of Resurrection, praising them and honoring them. Yes, until Allah said to all people: [At-Tawbah: 119]. As for the others, He said: [At-Tawbah: 95]. Look at the difference between the two matters. These lied, so they became abominable, and I seek refuge in Allah. And these told the truth, so they were elevated. So adhere to truthfulness, for truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man will continue to tell the truth and seek truthfulness until he is recorded with Allah as a truthful one. So the important thing is that regarding the truthful men and the truthful women, we say it is in faith, in speech, and in action. How is truthfulness in action? Truthfulness in action is that it corresponds to the inner self, so you do not act out of showing off, seeking fame, flattery, or social nicety, or for the sake of anything in this world. An example is a man who takes a thousand dirhams from his pocket and gives them in charity because people are watching, so he wants people to say, "How generous so-and-so is." Did he tell the truth in his action? And what is the apparent nature of his action? That it is for Allah and sincere. But the reality of his matter is the opposite; rather, he was a liar. And among truthfulness in actions is following the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), for that is evidence of the truthfulness of a person's love for Allah and His Messenger. [Aal 'Imran: 31]. So truthfulness is in belief, in speech, and in action. And what is the principle of truthfulness, O 'Abdullah? Name it. What is the meaning of truthfulness in principle? What is truthfulness in principle? Fine. A person told you that the dawn has appeared, so you looked and saw that the dawn had appeared. And another person told you that the dawn had not appeared, so you looked and saw that it had appeared. So what is truth and what is lying? What is the meaning of truthfulness?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Reporting what corresponds to reality. This is truthfulness. Fine, we mentioned that truthfulness is in belief, in speech, and in action. Truthfulness in belief is sincerity to Allah Mighty and Majestic, and it is that what one believes corresponds to what the Shari'ah brought. Truthfulness in speech is reporting what corresponds to reality, even if it is against oneself. One person said, "Lying is a way of escape". If you commit a crime and someone asks you, say you did not do it, and you will be safe. The second person said to him, "But truthfulness is safer". Which is more correct? The latter. If you lie and happen to be saved, the outcome is bad. But if you tell the truth and happen to be punished, the outcome is good. Truthfulness in action is that it corresponds to what is in the inner heart, such that the apparent and the inner correspond.
The student: ...?

The Shaykh : If it is in lying.
The student: Safer...
The Shaykh : Yes, it saved me twice. Correct. We stop here because the time has ended.
and so on.
How does Allah Glorified and Exalted address the believers? Whoever believes what agrees with the Shari'ah regarding the verses of Allah and His names and attributes, this is from truthfulness. Truthfulness in speech. I think we said the truthful women.