Q: Please advise concerning false testimony and the rulings of Shari`ah (Islamic law) based upon it. (Part No. 23; Page No. 511

A: False testimony is prohibited and is one of the major sins. It was authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the Hadith narrated by Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, Should I inform you of the gravest major sin? We said, "O, yes, Messenger of Allah!" He said, "Shirk (Associating others in worship with Allah) and being undutiful to one's parents." The Prophet (peace be upon him) then sat up after he had been reclining and said, "And I warn you against false testimony." He kept on saying that warning until we thought he would not stop. The ruling based on a false testimony does not turn something Haram (prohibited) into something Halal (lawful); it is just a piece of Hellfire that is acquired by this testimony for the one who made it. If it is proved that a person has made a false testimony, the ruler should punish them in a way that he thinks suitable.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.