Which Verses Show the Quran Purifying Intentions and Enhancing Truthfulness?

Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Question

What are the verses that indicate the impact of the Quran on purifying intentions and enhancing truthfulness?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

One of the significant matters that the Quran has greatly emphasized is the issue of ethics, and among the greatest virtues discussed in the Quran is truthfulness. It is one of the qualities on which many other virtues are based. Truthfulness in the Quran is a central trait mentioned numerous times with different derivations and forms, with the term (truthfulness) appearing in 153 instances in the Quran.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) counted lying, which is the opposite of truthfulness, as one of the signs of hypocrisy, saying:

“The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted, he betrays.” [Bukhari]

‘Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) reports the opinion of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) about lying, saying: “The most hated trait to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was lying.” [Bayhaqi, Shu‘ab al-Iman]

Indeed, truthfulness is the essence of deeds, the test of states, the motivator to face challenges, and the gateway through which the seekers reach the presence of the Almighty. It is the foundation of religion, the pillar of certainty, and a rank following that of prophethood, which is the highest rank in the world. [Ibn Qayyim, Madarij al-Salikin]

Attribute of Allah (Most High)

Truthfulness is so highly esteemed that it is one of the attributes of Allah (Most High):

“Allah, there is no god (worthy of worship) except Him. He will certainly gather (all of) you together on the Day of Judgment—about which there is no doubt. And whose word is more truthful than Allah’s?” [Quran, 4:87]

He (Most High) also says:

“Indeed, Allah fulfilled His promise to you when you (initially) swept them away by His Will.” [Quran, 3:152]

He (Most High) says:

“The righteous will say, ‘Praise be to Allah Who has fulfilled His promise to us, and made us inherit the (everlasting) land to settle in Paradise wherever we please.’ How excellent is the reward of those who work (righteousness)!” [Quran, 39:74]

Attribute of Prophets

Truthfulness is also one of the greatest obligatory attributes for prophets and messengers (peace be upon them), as they convey the revelation from Allah. Therefore, truthfulness must accompany them in actions and words. This is what Allah (Most High) has said about them:

“And mention in the Book (O Prophet, the story of) Abraham. He was surely a man of truth and a prophet.” [Quran, 19:41]

And He (Most High) says:

“And mention in the Book (O Prophet, the story of) Ishmael. He was truly a man of his word, and was a messenger and a prophet.” [Quran, 19:54]

And He (Most High) also says:

“And mention in the Book (O Prophet, the story of) Enoch. He was surely a man of truth and a prophet. And We elevated him to an honorable status.” [Quran, 19:56-57]

He (Most High) says:

“(He said,) ‘Joseph, O man of truth! Interpret for us (the dream of) seven fat cows eaten up by seven skinny ones; and seven green ears of grain and (seven) others dry, so that I may return to the people and let them know.’” [Quran, 12:46]

And He (Most High) says:

“Then the Chief Minister’s wife admitted, ‘Now the truth has come to light. It was I who tried to seduce him, and he is surely truthful.’” [Quran, 12:51]

Characteristic of the Believers

Truthfulness is also a characteristic of the believers. Allah (Most High) describes them by saying:

“Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their pledge (with their lives), and others are waiting (their turn). They have never changed (their commitment) in the least. (It all happened) so Allah may reward the faithful for their faithfulness, and punish the hypocrites if He wills or turn to them (in mercy). Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran, 33:23-24]

Comprehensive Trait

The Quran also considers truthfulness to be a comprehensive trait encompassing all aspects of righteousness, as mentioned by Allah (Most High):

“Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, (needy) travelers, beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering, adversity, and in (the heat of) battle. It is they who are true (in faith), and it is they who are mindful (of Allah).” [Quran, 2:177]

Intention and Its Importance and Status

Indeed, Allah has commanded piety and urged the believers to associate with the truthful. He said:

“O believers! Be mindful of Allah and be with the truthful.” [Quran, 9:119]

Regarding the verses that speak about intention and its importance and status, they are also numerous. Intention is, in essence, one of the actions of the heart, and the actions of the heart are the most beneficial and effective deeds. It is in them that the secret of servitude is realized, and the position of intention in actions is like the soul in the body. A person may reach with their intention what they cannot reach with their actions. For this reason, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will get what they intended…” [Bukhari]

With a sincere intention, you can attain rewards that you are unable to achieve; you may attain the reward of charity even if you do not have money, the reward of the warrior without going to battle, and the reward of fasting even if you are sick and unable to fast… The reason is that Allah (Most High) elevates those with sincere intentions to what they aspire to. How great is the intention!

This meaning is confirmed by the hadith of Abu Kabsha al-Anmari, who heard the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) say:

“The world is for four types of people: a servant whom Allah has given wealth and knowledge, so he fears his Lord regarding them, maintains family ties with it, and knows the rights of Allah in it – this one is the most virtuous rank. A servant whom Allah has given knowledge but not wealth, and he is sincere in intention and says, ‘If I had wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so.’ His reward is the same as theirs due to his intention.” [Tirmidhi]

The Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said:

“Whoever sincerely seeks martyrdom will be granted its reward, even if they do not attain it.” [Muslim]

Thus, whoever is truthful with Allah, Allah will be truthful with them, and rewards are given according to the sincerity of intentions, as Allah (Most High) says:

“If Allah finds goodness in your hearts, He will give you better than what has been taken from you, and forgive you. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran, 8:70]

And He (Most High) says:

“He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down serenity upon them and rewarded them with a victory at hand, and many spoils of war they will gain. For Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.” [Quran, 48:18-19]

And He (Most High) says:

“Had Allah found any goodness in them, He would have certainly made them hear.” [Quran, 8:23]

Finally, Allah (Most High) is aware of the sincerity of intentions, even if they are hidden from His servants. Allah (Most High) says:

“He certainly knows what is secret and what is even more hidden.” [Quran, 20:7]

Be sincere with your Lord and with His servants, and do not pay attention to those who suspect you as long as you are sincere in your intention; the end is always for the pious. Likewise, do not scrutinize people’s intentions, for only the Knower of the unseen knows what is in the hearts. Allah (Most High) says:

“Your Lord knows best what is within yourselves. If you are righteous, He is certainly All-Forgiving to those who (constantly) turn to Him.” [Quran, 17:25]

May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa

Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.

He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.

He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.

Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.