“I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it’s hell.”
“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds).†[al-Tawbah 9:119]
Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said (2/414): “It means: be truthful and adhere to truthfulness, and you will be among its people and will be saved from calamity, and this will make a way out for you from your problems.â€
‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah 
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘You must be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man will keep speaking the truth and striving to speak the truth until he will be recorded with Allaah as a siddeeq (speaker of the truth). Beware of telling lies, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hellfire. A man will keep telling lies and striving to tell lies until he is recorded with Allaah as a liar.†(Reported by Muslim, 4721)
“Do not trouble yourselves about standards or ideals; but try to be faithful and natural: remember that there is no greatness, no beauty, which does not come from truth to your own knowledge of things; and keep on working, even if your work is not long remembered.”
William Dean Howells, Literature and Life, Entire
Maverick wrote,
I agree … but then again isn’t it also advised that: “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” ?
:)
Link | April 21st, 2007 at 1:38 am
Umm Khawla wrote,
Saheeh.. but sometimes, its better to be harsh and get your message across instead of softening down the truth and not getting your message across which has its own consequences.. and may even have a long term (negative) effect on the other party (ones you’re relaying the message to).
I think it depends on who you’re dealing with and the urgency of it. Sometimes we take too long mellowing the truth.. and by the time we convey it, it has little to no affect.
Link | April 21st, 2007 at 9:00 am