Q 6: Is it permissible to lie to Christian Arabs?

A: The basic ruling is that Allah made lying Haram (prohibited) for Muslims and enjoined upon them to speak the truth, declaring this to be one of the teachings of Islam. Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to lie neither to a Muslim nor to a Kafir (disbeliever). Allah (Exalted be He) says (what means): O you who believe! Be afraid of Allâh, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds). It is narrated in a Hadith, agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “You must adhere to truthfulness, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Jannah (Paradise). A person will keep on speaking the truth and seek to speak the truth until he is recorded with Allah as a truth-speaker. Beware of lying! For lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A person will keep on telling lies and seek to tell lies until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.