Allah ﷻ has obliged us to speak the truth in all situations, even if the cost is going against ourselves.

“O you who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, God can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly- if you distort or neglect justice, God is fully aware of what you do.”

QUR’AN 4:135

Speaking the truth is one of the biggest tests that someone could face. You must be willing to sacrifice yourself, or lose something valuable such as trust or reputation. The consequence may be that you will be put under scrutiny, or telling the truth will result in punishment. However it is exactly in these times where we have to speak the truth, and declare what we believe in with certainty.

In this society, attempt after attempt is made to defame and mock the perfect religion of Islam with the intent of quieting down the Muslims, slowing down the pace at which hundreds of people are entering Islam and growing the Ummah. They are scared of the huge influence of Islam on this society and hate that it could destroy their way of life, with all the filth involved such as sale of alcohol, interest, democracy, and capitalism as a whole.

As Muslims it is incumbent upon us to stand up for what we believe in. Do not be apologetic or scared to speak the truth, even if they do not like it, or if there are unpleasant consequences. What you may lose is temporary, but the reward secured with Allah ﷻ is permanent. Allah ﷻ says:

“They want to extinguish the light of Allāh with their mouths, but Allāh will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.”

QUR’AN 61:8

Don’t let fear or cowardice prevent you from delivering the truth even if it may be a struggle. Remember: we only fear Allah ﷻ. He says in Surah al-Ahzab:

“[Allah praises] those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allah. And sufficient is Allah as Accountant.”

QUR’AN 33:39

A hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:

“Let not fear of the people stop one of you from speaking the truth, if he knows it.”

MUSNAD AHMAD 11869

A man asked the Prophet ﷺ “Which jihad is best?”

The Prophet ﷺ said, “A word of truth before a tyrannical ruler.” [Sunan al-Nasā’ī 4209]

Of course, don’t throw yourself into hardship. Be wise and speak with etiquette to deliver the truth to the one in charge. 

Unfortunately, these days the truth has been twisted by some scholars who are afraid to tell the truth. They may have been threatened by their rulers and coerced into giving these fatwas, perhaps they fear for their lives, their reputations or their families, and therefore they have given fatwas which are not in line with shari’ah. For example the fatwa to normalise relations with Israel is completely wrong for multiple reasons. The truth is that Palestine is for the Palestinians and that Israel is a clear enemy to every sincere Muslim who sees the pain being experienced by our brothers and sisters in Palestine. It is forbidden for us to ally with the disbelievers especially if they are the ones murdering the believers!

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Tell the truth, even if it is bitter.”

BAYHAQI, IBN HIBBAN

Aisha (rda) narrated the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Indeed whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure by the people’s wrath, Allah will suffice him from people and whoever seeks the people’s pleasure by Allah’s wrath, Allah will entrust him to people.”

TIRMIDHI

May Allah ﷻ enable us to tell the truth in all situations, whether it pleases the people or not.

This Ramadan, here our faces are stained with tears, but in Gaza, their necks are stained with blood. So don’t forget the Muslims suffering all over the world in your du’as.

May Allah ﷻ aid the believers in Palestine. May He heal the wounded and increase them in patience, faith and strength. May Allah ﷻ help those in Sudan, occupied Kashmir, the Uyghurs in China, the Rohingya people and all Muslims around the world.