Library Ethics Greater Sins Chapter 19 The Seventeenth Greater Sin: Lying Fear of retribution and good deeds
Fear of retribution and good deeds
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Fear of retribution and good deeds
Hazrat ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) says:
“Avoid lying! For when one desires something he strives for it and when one fears something he strives to keep it away from himself.”
(al-KÄfi)
Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) explains the above tradition as follows: If one sincerely desires the pleasure of Allah (S.w.T.) one must strive for it and one of the ways of doing so is by refraining from lies. Falsehood is a forbidden act causing extreme displeasure of Allah (S.w.T.). In the same way if one really fears divine retribution, one must keep aloof from sins, for sins incur punishment. If a person merely claims that he hopes for divine rewards and fears divine punishment, but does not perform good deeds nor refrain from sins, he is a liar.
The following saying of Amir ul-Mu’minÄ«n ‘Ali (a.s.) is recorded in Nahjul Balagha:
“One who thinks that he hopes (in divine rewards) but his actions do not express it, then by Allah, he is a liar. For when he hopes for something it becomes apparent from his actions.
But if he hopes in Allah and his actions do not show it? In the same way when one is afraid of something his actions express this (fear) and he flees from that thing. Then after claiming to be fearful of divine punishment why does he not flee from sins?”
Thus if a person who claims to be fearful of Allah (S.w.T.) and hopeful of divine rewards, but whose actions do not confirm his claim, is considered a liar. In the same way a person who claims to have the traits of patience, thankfulness, contentment and resignation etc. which are not shown in his behaviour is also a liar.
