The Quran about lie

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

There are many methods of hiding the truth. This phenomenon is practiced everywhere and in all spheres of life – from everyday life to political. The purpose of this action is one, not to let know the truth. If this goal is achieved, then the initiator has succeeded and has power over the misled person. The key meaning in this thesis is power. While someone is holding an object of influence in a distorted informational field, he can be confident in his dominance.

Such attempts to conceal the truth were also made with regard to divine truth. The Quran gives a clear distinction of the truth from the lie, of the justice from the absence of it. Quranic information gives true picture of God, of existence, of attitudes toward being and of possible options for the future.

Most often, the Quran uses words, the root of which is the term “kazaba” – to lie, to tell lies.

One of the false postulates is still the affirmation of kinship with God:

Unquestionably, it is out of their [invented] libel that they say, “God has begotten,” and indeed, they are liars! (37:151-152)

 

First of all, the messengers of God were faced with the scepticism of people. Human psychology is arranged so that everything new, at first, is perceived with hostility, which is expressed by accusations of lying.

Then if they deny you, – so were messengers denied before you, who brought clear proofs and written ordinances and the enlightening Prescription. (3:184)

But what they concealed before has [now] appeared to them. And even if they were returned, they would return to that which they were forbidden; and indeed, they are liars. (6:28)

But your people have denied it while it is the truth. Say, “I am not over you a guarantor!” (6:66)

 

The defamation of the truth does not end on that. Many people went so far as to invent a lie against the Creator:

Look how they invent about God untruth, and sufficient is that as a manifest sin! (4:50)

So who is more unjust than he who invents a lie about God or denies His signs? Indeed, the criminals will not succeed (10:17)

And what will be the supposition of those who invent falsehood about God on the day of standing before Him? Indeed, God is full of bounty to the people, but most of them are not grateful.” (10:60)

Say, “Indeed, those who invent lie about God will not succeed.” (10:69)

Rather, We have brought them the truth, and indeed they are liars (kaazibouuna)! (23:90)

Lies can be different. One of the types of falsehood is an ideological lie. This lie against the Creator is inherent to the polytheists:

And who is more unjust than one who invents about God a lie or denies His signs? Those will attain their portion of the decree until when Our messengers come to them to take them in death, they will say, “Where are those you used to invoke besides God?”

They will say, “They have departed from us,” and will bear witness against themselves that they were closed ones! (7:37)

And they attribute to God that which they dislike, and their tongues assert the lie that they will have the best. Assuredly, they will have the fire, and they will be [therein] neglected! (16:62)

And when those who associated others with God see their “partners,” they will say,” Our Lord, these are our partners whom we used to invoke besides You.”

But they will throw at them the statement, “Indeed, you are liars.” (16:86)

These, our nation, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for them a clear authority? And who is more unjust than one who invents about God a lie?” (18:15)

Unquestionably, for God is the pure duty!

And those who take patrons besides Him, say, “We only serve them that they may bring us nearer to God in position.” Indeed, God will judge between them concerning that over which they differ! Indeed, God does not guide he who is a liar and closed himself! (39:3)

 

The reason why they invent lies is in the internal state of these people. Such people closed themselves from the divine Light and make every effort to prevent it from getting, both in their spiritual world and in the people’s world. Such personalities are defined as obscurantists/wrongdoers:

And whoever invents about God untruth after that – then those are [truly] the obscurantists! (3:94)

And who is more unjust than one who invents about God a lie or denies His verses? Indeed, the obscurantists will not succeed! (6:21)

And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about God or says, “It has been suggested to me,” while nothing has been suggested to him, and one who says, “I will reveal [something] like what God revealed.” And if you could but see when the obscurantists are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the maintainers extend their hands, discharging your personalities! Today you will be awarded the punishment of humiliation for what you used to say against God other than the truth and [that] you were, toward His signs, being arrogant.” (6:93)

“Eight pairs are forbidden: two sheep, two goats, two camels and two cows.”

Say, “Is it the two males He has forbidden or the two females or that which the wombs of the two females contain? Or were you witnesses when God charged you with this? Then who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about God to mislead the people by other than knowledge? Indeed, God does not guide the obscurant people!” (6:144)

Or lest you say, “If only the Prescription had been revealed to us, we would have been better guided than they.”

So there has come to you a clear evidence from your Lord and a guidance and mercy! Then who is more unjust than one who denies the signs of God and turns away from them? We will recompense those who turn away from Our signs with the worst of punishment for their having turned away! (6:157)

Rather, they have denied that which they encompass not in knowledge. An interpretation has not yet come to them. Thus did those before them deny. Then observe how was the end of the obscurantists! (10:39)

And who is more unjust than he who invents a lie about God? Those will be presented before their Lord,

And the witnesses will say, “These are the ones who lied against their Lord. Unquestionably, the curse of God is upon the obscurantists!” (11:18)

And who is more unjust than one who invents about God untruth while he is being invited to humility. And God does not guide the obscurantists! (61:7)

 

There are many reasons for people to close themselves: an established worldview, a fear of novelty, a reluctance to change and break their peace, etc. For the “opening” of all these phenomena, there is a predetermination about the Day of Debt, where everything will be exposed and found out:

Indeed, God will judge between them concerning that over which they differ! Indeed, God does not guide he who is a liar and closed himself! (16:39)

They only invent falsehood who do not believe in the signs of God, and it is those who are the liars. (16:105)

And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, “This is lawful and this is unlawful,” to invent falsehood about God. Indeed, those who invent falsehood about God will not succeed. (16:116)

But they have denied the hour, and We have prepared for those who deny the hour a blaze! (25:11)

And those who closed themselves say to those who believe, “Follow our way, and we will carry your mistakes.” But they will not carry anything of their mistakes. Indeed, they are liars. (29:12)

 

The history of the mission of the messengers confirms the same behaviour of people in each period, led by the nobility:

Said the eminent ones who closed themselves among his nation, “Indeed, we see you in foolishness, and indeed, we think you are of the liars!” (7:66)

So the eminent among those who closed themselves from his nation said, “We do not see you but as a man like ourselves, and we do not see you followed except by those who are the lowest of us [and] at first suggestion. And we do not see in you over us any merit; rather, we think you are liars!” (11:27)

 

The difference of the messengers was that they were distinguished by their steadfastness in faith and the unswerving fulfilment of the mission entrusted to them:

Shu’ayb said, “And O my nation, work according to your position; indeed, I am working. You are going to know to whom will come a punishment that will disgrace him and who is a liar. So watch; indeed, I am with you a watcher!” (11:93)

And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them.

And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not the signs except as a warning. (17:59)

You (Shu’ayb) are but a man like ourselves, and indeed, we think you are among the liars. (26:186)

 

Historical regularities were inherent in the history of the biblical messengers:

Yusuf (Joseph) said, “It was she who sought to seduce me!”

And a witness from her family testified. “If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars. But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful.” (12:26-27)

And We certainly showed him (pharaoh) Our signs – all of them – but he denied and refused. (20:56)

Suleiman (Solomon) said, “We will see whether you were truthful or were of the liars. (27:27)

And pharaoh said, “O eminent ones, I have not known you to have a god other than me. Then ignite for me, O Haman, [a fire] upon the clay and make for me a tower that I may look at the God of Moses. And indeed, I do think he is among the liars.” (28:38)

And a believing man from the genus of pharaoh who concealed his faith said, “Do you kill a man [merely] because he says, ‘My Lord is God’ while he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? And if he should be lying, then upon him is [the consequence of] his lie; but if he should be truthful, there will strike you some of what he promises you. Indeed, God does not guide one who is excessive and a liar. (40:28)

 

Special attention in the Quran is paid to the holders of the Prescription. After all, all the messengers were carriers of one divine thought.

Then whoever argues with you about it after [this] knowledge has come to you – say, “Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then supplicate earnestly [together] and invoke the curse of God upon the liars [among us].” (3:61)

And among the holders of the Prescription is he who, if you entrust him with a great amount [of wealth], he will return it to you. And among them is he who, if you entrust him with a [single] silver coin, he will not return it to you unless you are constantly standing over him [demanding it]. That is because they say, “There is no blame upon us concerning the unsophisticated.” And they speak untruth about God while they know [it]. (3:75)

And indeed, there is among them a party who alter the Prescription with their tongues so you may think it is from the Prescription, but it is not from the Prescription. And they say, “This is from God,” but it is not from God. And they speak untruth about God while they know. (3:78)

O Messenger, let them not grieve you who hasten to close themselves of those who say, “We believe” with their mouths, but their hearts believe not.

From among the Jews, there are listeners to lies. They are, the ones listening to another people who have not come to you. They change the order of the words, saying “If you are given this, take it; but if you are not given it, then beware.”

Indeed, he whom God intends to confuse – never will you possess for him a thing against God. Those are the ones for whom God does not intend to purify their hearts. For them in this world is disgrace, and for them in the hereafter is a great punishment.

They are avid listeners to falsehood, devourers of unlawful. So if they come to you, judge between them or turn away from them. And if you turn away from them – never will they harm you at all. And if you judge, judge between them with balance. Indeed, God loves those who act in balance! (5:41-42)

And to warn those who say, “God has taken a son.” They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. Grave is the word that comes out of their mouths; they speak not except a lie. (18:4-5)

Have you not considered those who patronize people with whom God has become discontented? They are neither of you nor of them. They give false oaths while they know! (58:14)

 

In the end, there were those who believed in the signs of God sent down in the Quran. However, venal people are present among the faithful ones as well:

Had it been an easy gain and a moderate trip, they would have followed you, but distant to them was the journey. And they will swear by God, “If we were able, we would have gone forth with you,” destroying themselves, and God knows that indeed they are liars.

May God pardon you! Why did you give them permission until it was evident to you who were truthful and you knew [who were] the liars!? (9:42-43)

And those who took for themselves a place for earthly worship for causing harm and closed nature and division among the believers and as a station for whoever had warred against God and His messenger before. And they will surely swear, “We intended only the best!” And God testifies that indeed they are liars. (9:107)

On the day God will resurrect them all, and they will swear to Him as they swear to you and think that they are [standing] on something. Unquestionably, it is they who are the liars. (58:18)

Have you not considered those who venal, saying to their closed brothers among the holders of the Prescription, “If you are expelled, we will surely leave with you, and we will not obey, in regard to you, anyone – ever; and if you are fought, we will surely aid you!” But God testifies that they are liars! (59:11)

When the venal ones come to you, they say, “We testify that you are the messenger of God!” And God knows that you are His messenger, and God testifies that the venal ones are liars! (63:1)

 

Believers by definition must conform to their declarations in practice.

We would have invented against God a lie if we returned to your community after God had saved us from it. And it is not for us to return to it except that God, our Lord, should will! Our Lord has encompassed all things in knowledge! Upon God we have relied! Our Lord, decide between us and our nation in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision!” (7:89)

 

Having a declaration of faith allows you to solve some interpersonal problems at the level of the oath with the name of God:

And those who accuse their wives and have no witnesses except themselves – then each of them must witness four testimonies by God that indeed, he is of the truthful. And the fifth that the curse of God be upon him if he should be among the liars. But it will prevent punishment from her if she gives four testimonies by God that indeed, he is of the liars. And the fifth that the wrath of God be upon her if he was of the truthful! (24:6-9)

Why did they not produce for it four witnesses? And when they do not produce the witnesses, then it is they, in the sight of God, who are the liars!

And if it had not been for the favor of God upon you and His mercy in this world and the hereafter, you would have been touched for that [lie] in which you were involved by a great punishment When you received it with your tongues and said with your mouths that of which you had no knowledge and thought it was insignificant while it was, in the sight of God, tremendous. (24:13-15)

 

You can certainly assume that any one swearing can lie. However, all this is in the sphere of testing and any cunning will be bare on the Day of Debt:

But We have certainly tempted those before them, and God will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. (29:3)