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WERE
ALL THE COMPANIONS FREE OF LYING?
If
you argue that the Companions were also human beings
like us and not free of errors and contradictions.
Yet, the commandments of the Shari‘a established
by the Sunna and the conclusions the early “mujtahids”
drew through “ ijtihad” are founded upon the
general belief and unanimous agreement of the Muslim
community that all of the Companions are just and
truthful; they are free of lying.
Answer:
It is true that the absolute majority of the Companions
were lovers of truth, passionately devoted to
truthfulness and desirous of justice. For in that age,
the ugliness of lying and deception was demonstrated in
all its ugliness, and the beauty of truth and
truthfulness in all its beauty, in such a manner that
the distance between them was as great as that between
the ground and the Supreme Throne of God. They were
separated from each other to the extent of the distance
between the degree of the truthfulness of the Prophet
Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, who is at the
highest of the high, and the deceptiveness of Musaylima
the Liar, who is at the lowest of the low. Indeed, while
lying caused Musaylima to fall to the lowest of the law,
it is truthfulness which caused Muhammad the
Trustworthy, upon him be peace and blessings, to rise to
the highest of the high.
The
Companions, who were illumined by the light of
companionship with the Sun of Prophethood, had lofty
emotions and sentiments and adored good morals. It is
certain, doubtless, and undeniable that they never
inclined to lying voluntarily, an act which is infinitely
ugly and the cause of utmost degradation, which is found
in the ‘shops’ of Musaylima-like liars, full of filth
and disgracing objects of ridicule. Also, as much they
avoided unbelief, they also avoided lying to the same
degree, which is a companion of unbelief. Particularly in
the narration and communication of the commandments of the
Shari‘a, they were as careful as possible in seeking
truth and being truthful, and conforming to truth, which
is infinitely beautiful and a means of pride and glory,
and a stairway to spiritual perfection, which is in
greater demand than the other ‘gems’ in the elevated
treasury of the Pride of Messengership, and illuminates
the social life of mankind with the splendor of its
beauty.
By
contrast, at this time, the distance between truth and
lying has become so narrow that they stand side by side.
It is extremely easy to pass from truth to lying.
Political propaganda has even made lying preferable to
truth. Thus, if the ugliest thing is sold in a shop
together with most beautiful things for the same price,
for sure the brilliance of truth, which is infinitely
sublime and priceless, is not to be bought in blind
reliance on the skills and word of the shopkeeper.
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