Chapter 19 - On Honesty, Forgetting People's Faults and Forbidding Gossipping

“God the Almighty never appointed any Prophets who were not honest and trustworthy to good-doers and evil-doers.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whoever is honest is a good-doer.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “A note was found in the sheath of the Prophet's sword that said: “Make ties with those who have cut off their ties with you, grant to those who have deprived you. Speak the truth even if it is against your interests.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “One will tell the truth so much that he will be included among the honest people near God, and will lie so much that he will be included among the liars near God. Whenever one tells the truth, God says: He told the truth, he did a good thing. When he tells a lie, God says: He lied, and did a wicked act.”

Imam Ali (a.s) said: “Honesty will guide you to goodness, and goodness will invite you to Heaven. As long as you tell the truth, no lies will be left in your heart and you will be known as an honest person near God.”

Imam Ali (a.s) said: “Being honest is a part of faith, and one who is honest will not even say useful lies, and will not say anything beyond his knowledge.”

Imam Ali (a.s) said in a part of a long sermon: “O' People! Try to be honest because God is the helper of the honest people. Avoid telling lies since it will ruin your faith. Know that honest people are on the verge of nobility and honor, while liars are on the verge of collapse and destruction.”

Imam Sajjad (a.s) said: “There are four things that perfect your Islam and cleanse your sins, and enable you to meet the Lord pleased with you in the Hereafter: 1- Fulfilling all your promises to the people, 2- Honesty with the people, 3- Being ashamed of whatever is shameful near God and the people. 4- Being good-tempered with the family.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Invite the people to do good deeds by acting, not just words, so that people see your efforts in the way of worshipping, piety and honesty.”

Imam Baqir (a.s) told Raebih: “Men will tell the truth so much that they reach the rank of the honest ones near God.”

Prophet (a.s) said: “(On the Resurrection Day) those of you who are the most honest, most trustworthy, the ones with the best temper and the ones closest to the people will be closest to me and will deserve my intercession the most.”