Question

Does it appear in a Hadith that speaking lies blackens the heart?

Answer

Imam Malik (rahimahullah) has recorded this as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu). The nature of this Hadith is not such that could’ve been derived from his own logic and therefore it will be understood that he heard this from Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

The full narration is as follows:

A person continues to lie and black spots appear on his heart until his entire heart turns black. He is then recorded as a liar by Allah.

(Muwatta Imam Malik, Hadith: 2831, Awjazul Masalik, Hadith: 1799. Also see: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 6094, vol. 10 pg. 508)

The following words appear in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim:

Truthfulness leads to piety and piety leads to Jannah. A man continues to be truthful until he is recorded as truthful by Allah. Lying leads to evil and evil leads to Jahannam. A man continues to lie until he is recorded as a liar by Allah

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 6094 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2607)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar