What is the purpose of honesty?

[sharif110]

Honesty is one of the great and valuable human moral virtues which is clearly emphasized in the fundamental Islamic sources. It is sufficient concerning the importance of this issue to mention that Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì has repeatedly promised reward to truthful people in the Holy Quran, for instance;

Quote

لِّيَجْزِيَ اللَّـهُ الصَّادِقِينَ بِصِدْقِهِمْ وَيُعَذِّبَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ إِن شَاءَ أَوْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

That Allah may reward the true for their truthfulness, and punish the hypocrites, if He wishes, or accept their repentance. Indeed Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful. [1]

 

When we refer to Hadiths, we see that lie is mentioned as a key of all evils. In this regard, Imam Hassan Al-askari (A.S) said, “جُعِلَت الخَبائِثُ كُلّها فى بَیتٍ و جُعِلَ مِفتاحُها الكذب”.

All evils are placed in a house where lies is its key. [2]

Although the effect of honesty is obvious, but more thinking and studying aim us to know at least its targets and influences in human life. What comes in the following is a part of these targets;

1- Attainment of people's trust.

We know that man is a social creature in which collective actions are as the basis of his acts. What is important to express is that the collective actions would take place, when individuals have full confidence about each other. To have full confidence will not be ascertained without being honest to each other, no matter is in educational, cultural, political acts or etc. As a result, the foundation of any spiritual and material progress in society is a mutual trust which is derived from honesty. In this regard, Imam Ali (A.S) said, “«الکذاب و المیت سواء فان فضیلة الحى على المیت الثقة به، فاذا لم یوثق بکلامه فقد بطلت حیاته”.

Liar and dead ones are the same, because the trustworthiness is the cause of superiority of an alive person over dead one, therefore, his being alive is void (ineffective) when there is no trust to his speech.

2- Attainment of prestige and good character.

Honesty causes prestige and great personality for a human whereas lying is the cause of scandal and disgrace. Imam Ali (A.S) said, “علیک بالصدق، فمن صدق فى اقواله جل قدره”.

Say always the truth, because an honest gains more magnitude and position in society.

3- Attainment of bravery and courage.

Truth and honesty give man courage and bravery whereas lying swallows him in a deep fearing for fealty that reveal all of his untruth sayings.

4- Resolving of community problems

Most of problems which occur in the communities are caused by lying. In societies where people and its politicians are honest, people are relaxed in which it cause less crime and less probes to detect lies. Therefore, those expenses which have been occurred by lying in society would be decreased.

5- Removing of objections and disputes

Most disputes and conflicts among people refer to denial of truth and honesty. Honesty in speech and behavior are the most important factors to eliminate these issues.

According to what mentioned, it can be concluded that honesty is essential in order to have a safe and calm life.

1- http://tanzil.net/#trans/en.qarai/33:24

2- Bihar Al-anvar, vol 72, p 262