God's attribute of "The Truth" in Islam is one of the ninety-nine names for God. These ninety-nine names are specific characteristics by which the Quran in chapter 17 verse 110, gives permission to the Muslim to use when calling upon God in prayer; as long as the Muslim realize that these are attributes of God only and do not represent different gods.
Al Haqq ("The Truth") comes from the root word, “haqqa.” According to The Dictionary of the Holy Quran by Abdul Mannan Omar, it means “to be right, just or fitting…a fact.”
As such, Islam teaches that the one who is true, just, and of factual quality is of a pleasing nature to God. Al-Haqq, as the truth bearing name for God in Islam, suggests that God is the "true reality" that all of mankind should worship.
In Islam, any who possess the quality of being truthful and having an honest character is worthy to be believed and followed. Prophet Muhammad possessed such a truthful quality, that before he announced himself as a prophet he was known by his people as Al-Amin (the trustworthy).
God’s Attribute as the Truth in Islam
As Al-Haqq, Muslims believe that God in Islam gives those who read the Quran everything they need to know to open their eyes to true reality about existence and spiritual growth. As such, the Quran as believed by Muslims, contain no false statements or deceptive utterances.
As the Quran states about God’s nature in chapter 10 verse 35, “say: Is there of your partners (whom ye ascribe unto Allah) one that leadeth to the Truth? Say: Allah leadeth to the Truth. Is He who leadeth to the Truth more deserving that He should be followed or he who findeth not the way unless he (himself) be guided?”
In the above verse, God ask the question, who more deserves to be followed; one that lies, deceives, and full of contradictions, or one who is truthful in explaining things in accurate details by which groups of people can grow and develop?
God’s Command to the Muslim to be Truthful
Like other religions in existence today, Islam prizes highly that a person be of truthful quality and to avoid deception. Truth, for the Muslim, is equivalent to emulating Prophet Muhammad, who was known as Al-Amin (the trustworthy). According to historical accounts, Prophet Muhammad was so trustworthy that when the Arabs went on a journey they would leave their valuables with him because of the high degree of trust they had for him.
Thus, it is no mistake that the characteristics of the Arabian Prophet, along with this Attribute of God (Al Haqq), became a central component of the Islam faith. Chapter 5 verse 89 of the Holy Quran states, "Allah will not take you to task for that which is unintentional in your oaths, but He will take you to task for the oaths which ye swear in earnest …” Also, in chapter 2 verse 42 the Quran further states, “confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth.”
As such, all verbal and written oaths are to be honored by Muslims, as they strive to be truthful in everything; even if that truth is against what their own hands have put forth.
An Example of the Consequences of Falsehood
In Islam, and according to the Quran, women are to be treated with the utmost respect. As stated in the Quran Chapter 4 verse 1, "…and reverence the wombs that bore you…” As such, all mothers and future mothers should be respected, according to the Quran.
So many harmful acts have, and continue to be, committed against women in the Middle East, as well as around the world, that God deemed it appropriate to include the following command in the Quran with respect to being truthful and respectful towards women. In chapter 24 verse 4 of the Quran it states, “And those who accuse honorable women but bring not four witnesses, scourge them [the false accusers] (with) eighty stripes and never (afterward) accept their testimony - they indeed are evil-doers.”
Such is the truth bearing religion of Islam according to Muslims and the Quran. It is a religion that prizes truthfulness and accuracy of information, as indicated by this Attribute of God in Islam called Al-Haqq.
Sources:
Abdullah Yusef Ali, The Holy Quran; With Arabic Text.
Abdul Mannan Omar, Dictionary of The Holy Quran.
Khalil Green - Khalil Green has obtained a Bachelors Degree with Departmental Honors in Religious Studies from Washburn University in Topeka Ks. His ...
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