Honesty is among the qualities a Muslim should have. Not only it’s very important, but the benefits of honesty in Islam is also high. Honesty should come together with truthfulness and reliability, and all three of them reside in every thought, relationship, actions, and words of a Muslim.
“O you who believe! Fear God, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds).” – At-Tawba (9:119)
Honesty is also the best quality Prophet Muhammad had, that he was dubbed Al-Amin (the trusted one). According to a narration, the Prophet had once gather all people of Mecca and he asked, “O people of Mecca! If I say that an army is advancing on you from behind the mountains, will you believe me?” Everyone answer in unity, “Yes, because we have never heard you telling a lie.”
A Muslim could gain many benefits of honesty in Islam, some of them are:
1. Reflection of Authenticity
You are shown by your honesty. It’s why honesty in words and actions are required, since it is the reflection of our inner thoughts and feeling. Through the honesty, we show our true self to others.
Also read: Prohibition of Lying In Islam
2. It Shows Courage
For someone to be honest requires a huge amount of courage. A courageous person doesn’t mean he has no fear, but one is brave enough to be honest despite the fear he has. It’s not easy to do but the after effect will be very positive.
3. Honesty Means Care
Honesty to others or even to our own selves just show how much we care. It means we respect ourselves as well as respecting others. This caring attitude makes people grow fond of us, since honesty is attractive and appealing.
Also read: Ways To Earn Good Deeds In Islam
4. It Creates Love
If we treat others with honesty, they will be honest to us in return. This will create endless circle of honesty. By being honest, we encourage other to be honest too. It also creates authenticity and interpersonal closeness. Honesty means love creates love, and creates evolution in human’s relationship.
5. Honesty Means Maturity
Honesty is not always about good and happy thing. It sometimes hurt and painful, which means somebody who is brave enough to embrace honesty is a mature person. He accepts that things won’t always be going on the way he expects it to be.
Also read: Misconceptions about Islam
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6. Honesty Creates Connection
Honesty brings people closer and creates a safe connection between two people. Both parties feel safe and secure to be genuine about their feeling and not afraid to be honest since he knows that the other side will be doing the same. Honesty helps solve personal issues in a more easy ways.
7. It Frees Us from Fear
Honesty brings an unsaid sensation of freedom from the inside. It makes one feel great for being so honest and freed from fear. While dishonesty cause endless worries and anxiety, only honesty can be the best remedy for it.
Also read: Importance of Muslim Brotherhood
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8. It Helps Us Improved Emotionally
Untruthfulness and dishonesty served your emotion in a bad way. By withholding the truth, we are creating garbage in our heart. We have to be emotionally matured by being honest in everything. It may not easy at first, but after the first try we will find that honesty is actually relieving.
9. Honesty is Contagious
Honesty creates honesty, encourages others to be honest too, and attract many honesty as well. It’s very contagious and suddenly we will find ourselves surrounded by positive vibes of honesty.
Also read: Virtues of Truthfulness in Islam
10. It Keeps Us Out of Trouble
On the contrary with dishonesty, honesty keeps us out of trouble. It solves problem in the best way not creating other problem or even make it worse.
Warning About Dishonesty
After we read all the benefits of honesty in Islam, we should also know that dishonesty brings its own consequences. Here are Allah’s SWT and the Prophet’s warning about dishonesty:
1. About Dishonesty in Trading
In a transaction between buyer and seller, there should not be dishonesty.
“Woe to those that deal in fraud, – those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account- on a Mighty Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds.” – Al-Falaq (133: 1-6)
2. Islam Has No Place for Dishonest Muslim
As the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say,
“Remember, there is no faith in him who is not trustworthy; there is no place for him in religion who cares not for his pledged word or promise.”
3. Dishonesty Leads One to Hell
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that a dishonest person will be led to hell by it.
“He who cheats is not of us. Deceitfulness and fraud are things that lead one to Hell.”
Those are all the benefits of honesty in Islam. As a good Muslim, we should follow our role model, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). May all of us able to become a faithful and honest Muslim.