Friday Sermon at Masjid Al-Haram: Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly Stresses the Value of Truthfulness
Makkah: Delivering the Friday sermon at Masjid Al-Haram on 20 Rabi‘ Al-Awwal 1447 AH, Sheikh Dr. Maher bin Hamad Al-Muaiqly, Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque, underscored the great importance of truthfulness as a defining trait of every believer.
He said that honesty should be the constant companion of a Muslim — in speech, actions, and intentions — until it becomes a natural part of their character. Truth, he noted, leads to righteousness, which in turn leads to Paradise. Citing the words of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he reminded worshippers: “A person continues to speak the truth and strives for truthfulness until he is recorded with Allah as a truthful one.”
Sheikh Al-Muaiqly explained that truth is a noble quality praised by Allah and attributed to the Prophets, including Ibrahim, Ismail, Yusuf, and most notably Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was known as “the truthful, the trustworthy” even before his prophethood.
He stressed that truth brings peace of mind, alleviates distress, and ensures acceptance of prayers, while falsehood brings humiliation and destruction. The Prophet ﷺ strongly condemned lying in any form, even in jest, and warned that persistent lying leads to sin and ultimately to Hellfire.
The sermon also highlighted the dangers of spreading rumors and false news, especially in the age of rapid electronic communication. Sheikh Al-Muaiqly reminded that Islam forbids passing on information without verification, quoting the Prophet ﷺ: “It is enough of a lie for a man to repeat everything he hears.” He cautioned that those who deliberately spread lies risk severe punishment in the Hereafter.
The Imam concluded by urging Muslims to make truthfulness their lifelong principle, both in private and public life, for it is closely tied to sincerity and salvation. On the Day of Judgment, only the truthful will benefit from their honesty, as Allah says:
“This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness. For them are gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is the supreme triumph.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:119)
Source: إدارة شؤون الأئمة والمؤذنين
