Why is perjury prohibited?
حرم الله عز وجل شهادة الزور فما سبب ذلك التحريم؟
The strict prohibition of perjury in Islam is rooted in the ultimate protection of justice. Falsehood destroys the integrity of society by enabling oppression and depriving rightful owners of their dues.
ينبع التحريم القاطع لشهادة الزور في الإسلام من مبدأ حماية العدالة. فالكذب يدمر نزاهة المجتمع من خلال تمكين الظلم وحرمان أصحاب الحقوق من حقوقهم.
The Reasons for Prohibition | أسباب التحريم
1. Injustice and Loss of Rights
Falsehood and perjury are considered among the greatest sins. This is primarily because perjury leads directly to severe injustice and the complete loss of rights for innocent people.
1. الظلم وتضييع الحقوق
شهادة الزور من أعظم الكبائر، وذلك لأن شهادة الزور تؤدي إلى الظلم وتضييع الحقوق.
2. The Quranic Command
Allah explicitly commands believers to avoid false words, equating falsehood with the impurity of idolatry. (So shun the impurity of idolatry, and shun words of falsehood.) Surah Al Hajj 22:30.
2. النهي القرآني
لقول الله تعالى: (فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ) الحج: 30.
3. The Prophetic Warning
The Prophet pbuh powerfully warned his companions about this act. He asked them three times: "Should I tell you the greatest of the great sins?" They said, "Yes, Messenger of Allah!" He said, "Taking partners with Allah, and being undutiful to one's parents." He was leaning, so he sat up straight and emphatically added: "Oh and perjury. And perjury." He kept repeating it until the companions said out of compassion for him, "I wish he had been silent."
3. التحذير النبوي الشديد
يقول الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم: "ألا أنبئكم بأكبر الكبائر" ثلاثا، قلنا: بلى يا رسول الله! قال: "الإشراك بالله، وعقوق الوالدين"، وكان متكئا فجلس فقال: "ألا وقول الزور ألا وقول الزور" فما زال يكررها حتى قلنا: ليته سكت.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Why did the Prophet sit up specifically to warn about perjury?
Sitting up from a leaning position indicated the extreme gravity and public danger of the sin. It emphasized that perjury destroys community justice and directly harms innocent people, requiring urgent attention.
How does perjury relate to idolatry in the Quran?
In Surah Al Hajj, Allah mentions avoiding words of falsehood immediately after avoiding the impurity of idolatry. This profound pairing demonstrates that perjury is one of the most detestable acts in the sight of Allah.
Does perjury only apply to court testimonies?
While it is most destructive in a court of law, the Islamic prohibition of "words of falsehood" applies broadly to any false claim or testimony that deprives someone of their rights or unjustly harms their reputation.