Have you been wondering what is the punishment for telling lies in Islam? Lying is one of the greatest sins in Islam, and the Quran and Hadith strongly warn against it. Islam teaches truthfulness as a fundamental characteristic of a believer. This article explores the punishment for lying in Islam, backed by authentic Hadith and Quranic references.
Lying is a Sign of a Hypocrite
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The signs of a hypocrite are three:
1. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.
2. Whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise ).
3. If you trust him, he proves to be dishonest. (If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it.)”
Allah SWT says in Surah An-Nisa 4:145:
Surely the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire—and you will never find for them any helper
List of Ahadith on Lying in Islam
The Grave Consequences of Lying in Islam
Lying is not just a minor sin, it has severe consequences in this world and the hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
Narrated `Abdullah:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Al-Fajur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fajur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar.” – [Sahih al-Bukhari 6094]
Do not Tell Lies Against the Prophet (ﷺ)
Narrated `Ali:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Do not tell a lie against me for whoever tells a lie against me (intentionally) then he will surely enter the Hell-fire.” – [Sahih al-Bukhari 106]
Another Hadith on Punishment for Lying
Narrated Samura bin Jundub:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I saw (in a dream), two men came to me.” Then the Prophet (ﷺ) narrated the story (saying), “They said, ‘The person, the one whose cheek you saw being torn away (from the mouth to the ear) was a liar and used to tell lies and the people would report those lies on his authority till they spread all over the world. So he will be punished like that till the Day of Resurrection.” – [Sahih al-Bukhari 6096]
Hadith on Lying for Fun
Many people enjoy throwing jokes at one another and when asked why such jokes – They say just for fun, to make people laugh. Even this is not allowed. The Prophet ﷺ said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Woe to him who tells things, speaking falsely, to make people laugh thereby. Woe to him! Woe to him! – [Sunan Abu Dawood 4990, Grade: Hasan]
Related: How to teach your child not to lie in Islam
Lying to Deceive Others
A person who cheats and deceives others through lies is cursed.
It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) happened to pass by a heap of eatables (corn). He thrust his hand in that (heap) and his fingers were moistened. He said to the owner of that heap of eatables (corn):
What is this? He replied: Messenger of Allah, these have been drenched by rainfall. He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: Why did you not place this (the drenched part of the heap) over other eatables so that the people could see it? He who deceives is not of me (is not my follower). – [Sahih Muslim 102]
Hadith on False Witnessing
Giving false testimony is a major sin in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said thrice, “Should I inform you out the greatest of the great sins?” They said, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)!” He said, “To join others in worship with Allah and to be undutiful to one’s parents.” The Prophet (ﷺ) then sat up after he had been reclining (on a pillow) and said, “And I warn you against giving a false witness, and he kept on saying that warning till we thought he would not stop. [Sahih al-Bukhari 2654]
When Is Lying Permissible in Islam?
There are 3 situations when lying is allowed in Islam.
- In a war
- To bring peace between people
- Between husband and wife (to increase love, to please her)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
It is not lawful to lie except in three cases: Something the man tells his wife to please her, to lie during war, and to lie in order to bring peace between the people. – [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1939, Grade: Sahih]
