The Prohibition of Bearing False Witness

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In a world plagued by dishonesty and deception, the act of giving false testimony has become an alarming sin that leads to chaos and suffering. Islam strongly condemns this act as it goes against the principles of truth and justice, which are fundamental to maintaining peace in society. The Quran and Hadith emphasize the severe consequences of bearing false witness, highlighting its dangers and categorizing it among the greatest sins. This content will explore several Hadiths that stress the prohibition of giving false testimony, covering each Hadith in English, Urdu, and Arabic, and discussing the important lessons derived from them.

The Prohibition of Bearing False Witness

The Greatest Sins Include False Witness

Hadith in English

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The greatest of the major sins are ascribing partners with Allah, murdering a human, being undutiful to parents, and making a false statement, or giving a false testimony.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

Hadith in Urdu

حضرت محمد ﷺ نے فرمایا: “سب سے بڑے گناہ اللہ کے ساتھ شرک کرنا، کسی انسان کا قتل کرنا، والدین کے ساتھ نافرمانی کرنا اور جھوٹی گواہی دینا ہے۔”
(صحیح البخاری)

Hadith in Arabic

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “أكبر الكبائر: الشرك بالله، وقتل النفس، وعقوق الوالدين، وشهادة الزور.”
(صحيح البخاري)

Reference of the Hadith

  • Sahih Al-Bukhari

Important Points Discussed in This Hadith:

In this Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lists false testimony alongside some of the most grievous sins, such as associating partners with Allah (shirk), killing a person, and disobedience to parents. The emphasis on false testimony in this Hadith shows that it is not just a small mistake but a significant sin that can lead to severe consequences both in this world and the Hereafter. The act of lying under oath or giving false witness can destroy the lives of others, cause injustice, and harm entire communities.

The Consequences on the Day of Judgement

Hadith in English

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The one who bears false testimony will be unable to move on the Day of Judgment until Allah condemns him to Hell.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah)

Hadith in Urdu

حضرت محمد ﷺ نے فرمایا: “جو شخص جھوٹی گواہی دیتا ہے، وہ قیامت کے دن تک حرکت نہیں کر سکے گا یہاں تک کہ اللہ اسے جہنم میں ڈال دے گا۔”
(سنن ابن ماجہ)

Hadith in Arabic

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “من شهد شهادة زور، فإنه لا يتحرك يوم القيامة حتى يقضي الله عليه بجهنم.”
(سنن ابن ماجه)

Reference of the Hadith

  • Sunan Ibn Majah

Important Points Discussed in This Hadith

This Hadith highlights the severe consequences awaiting those who give false testimony. It warns that a person who lies in their testimony will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment and will not be able to escape the punishment that Allah has decreed for them. The imagery of being “unable to move” suggests that the weight of the sin will paralyze the wrongdoer, trapping them in a state of guilt and fear. The mention of Hellfire further emphasizes the gravity of this sin and serves as a stern reminder for all believers to be honest and just in their words and actions.

False Testimony and Injustice

Hadith in English

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever gives a testimony so that the wealth of a Muslim can be taken, or someone’s blood can be spilt, has made Hellfire binding upon himself.”
(Sunan An-Nasa’i)

Hadith in Urdu

حضرت محمد ﷺ نے فرمایا: “جو شخص ایسی گواہی دیتا ہے جس کے ذریعے کسی مسلمان کا مال لیا جائے یا کسی کا خون بہایا جائے، اس نے اپنے اوپر جہنم واجب کر لی ہے۔”
(سنن النسائی)

Hadith in Arabic

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “من شهد شهادة يأخذ بها مال مسلم أو يهدر دمه، فقد أوجب على نفسه النار.”
(سنن النسائي)

Reference of the Hadith

  • Sunan An-Nasa’i

Important Points Discussed in This Hadith

This Hadith brings attention to the destructive consequences of giving false testimony, particularly when it leads to the loss of a person’s wealth or life. The Prophet (peace be upon him) makes it clear that those who use their testimony to manipulate the truth for personal gain or to harm others are committing an unforgivable act. The punishment for such people is none other than Hellfire. This teaches us the importance of safeguarding the rights of others and upholding justice, as Islam forbids any form of oppression, especially through the act of lying.

The Best of Generations and the Decline of Honesty

Hadith in English

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The best of my nation is my generation, then the generation after them, and then the generation after them. After that, indeed, there will be people who give testimony when they have not been called to bear testimony, they will betray, and they will not be trusted.”
(Sahih Muslim)

Hadith in Urdu

حضرت محمد ﷺ نے فرمایا: “میری امت کے بہترین لوگ میری نسل کے ہیں، پھر ان کے بعد آنے والی نسل، اور پھر ان کے بعد آنے والی نسل۔ اس کے بعد ایسے لوگ آئیں گے جو بغیر بلائے گواہی دیں گے، وہ دھوکہ دیں گے اور ان پر بھروسہ نہیں کیا جائے گا۔”
(صحیح مسلم)

Hadith in Arabic

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “خير أمتي قرني، ثم الذين يلونهم، ثم الذين يلونهم. ثم يأتي قوم يشهدون ولم يُستَشهَدوا، يخونون ولا يُؤتَمنون.”
(صحيح مسلم)

Reference of the Hadith

  • Sahih Muslim

Important Points Discussed in This Hadith

This Hadith sheds light on the decline in moral values over time. The Prophet (peace be upon him) prophesied that the best generations would be those closest to his time, and as time passed, dishonesty would spread. People would give false testimony without even being asked, showing how widespread and normalized lying would become. This warning is especially relevant in today’s society, where people often provide false witnesses for personal gain, betraying the trust of others and causing societal decay.

Lessons from False Witness: The Compilation of Sins

Giving false testimony is not a single sin but rather a combination of various major sins. When someone lies in their testimony, they are engaging in a series of unethical and sinful behaviours:

Lying

False testimony inherently involves lying, which is condemned in Islam as a major sin.

Slander

It often includes falsely accusing others of crimes they did not commit, which is another form of oppression.

Bribery

In many cases, people are paid to bear false witness, which adds the sin of accepting bribes to the list.

Oppression

By lying in court, false witnesses contribute to the oppression of others, leading to injustices in society.

Causing Conflicts

False testimony can lead to disputes, physical altercations, and even wars between individuals or communities.

Through these sins, false testimony creates a ripple effect of injustice and chaos, leading to widespread destruction in both this life and the Hereafter.

Conclusion Upholding Truth and Justice

In Islam, the truth is a sacred principle that must be upheld at all costs. Bearing false witness goes against the essence of justice and righteousness. The Quran and Hadith both make it clear that this act is one of the gravest sins a believer can commit. In a society where truth is abandoned, oppression and injustice will thrive, leading to widespread chaos. As Muslims, we are called to be truthful in all aspects of our lives, even when it is difficult. The prohibition of giving false testimony serves as a reminder that truth and justice should always prevail, regardless of personal interests. May Allah guide us to always speak the truth and avoid the evils of false testimony.