How can I make my speech more truthful?

Truthfulness in speech is one of the most fundamental and esteemed ethical virtues in Islamic teachings, frequently emphasized in numerous verses of the Holy Quran. It is not merely an individual characteristic but a pillar upon which a healthy society and trust-based relationships are built. The Quran calls believers to piety (Taqwa) and to be with the truthful, indicating that truthfulness is not just a desirable trait but a divine command and a path to drawing closer to Allah. To make our speech more truthful, we must review various dimensions of our lives and personalities, aligning them with Quranic principles. The first and most crucial step is to strengthen our fear of Allah, or Taqwa. Taqwa means self-restraint and avoiding what Allah has forbidden while fulfilling His commands. When a person genuinely fears Allah in their heart and acknowledges His constant presence overseeing their actions and words, their inclination towards truthfulness naturally strengthens. This fear of Allah is not a paralyzing dread but a conscious awareness that prevents one from error and guides towards goodness. The Quran repeatedly highlights the importance of well-considered and righteous speech. In Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 70, Allah says: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate intention.” (Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū ittaqū Allāha wa qūlū qawlan sadīdā). "Qawlan sadīdā" refers to speech that is truthful, correct, firm, without deviation, or ambiguity. This verse teaches us that before speaking, we should reflect on what we intend to say. Is it true? Is it beneficial? Will it cause no harm? Will it not lead to division? Therefore, one practical way to make our speech more truthful is to think before speaking. Haste in speech often leads to uttering inaccurate, exaggerated, or even false statements. Silence, when speaking would lead to sin or error, is itself a form of truthfulness. Truthfulness also encompasses fulfilling promises and covenants. In Surah Al-Isra, verse 34, it states: “And fulfill [every] covenant. Indeed, every covenant will be questioned about.” (Wa awfū bi-al-‘ahdi inna al-‘ahda kāna mas’ūlan). This verse indicates that every promise we make, whether to Allah or to people, must be accompanied by sincerity and the intention to fulfill it. Truthful speech is that which matches action, and its promises are realized. A person who constantly makes promises without fulfilling them gradually loses the credibility of their words and erodes people's trust. This type of insincerity in action, over time, also affects truthfulness in speech, leading the individual towards making untrue statements. Furthermore, truthfulness means abstaining from any form of deception, trickery, lying, backbiting, slander, and gossip. These moral vices are not only instances of untruthfulness but are also severely condemned in the Quran. For example, the Holy Quran likens backbiting to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother, signifying its utmost repulsiveness. Anyone who desires their speech to be more truthful must keep their tongue pure from such impurities. This requires continuous self-discipline and constant vigilance over one's tongue. Moreover, bearing witness to the truth, even if it is against oneself or one's close relatives, is the pinnacle of truthfulness, and it is emphasized in the Quran. In Surah An-Nisa, verse 135, Allah says: “O you who have believed, be persistently maintainers of justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or your parents and relatives.” (Yā ayyuhā alladhīna āmanū kūnū qawwāmīna bi-al-qisṭi shuhadā’a li-Allāhi wa law ‘alā anfusikum awi al-wālidayni wa al-aqrabīn). This verse makes truthfulness in testimony and upholding justice obligatory under all circumstances, even the most difficult ones. In summary, to make our speech more truthful, we must practice Taqwa, ponder before speaking and utter only thoughtful and righteous words, adhere to promises and covenants, refrain from all forms of lying, backbiting, slander, and gossip, and always bear witness to the truth for the sake of Allah. Truthfulness in speech not only brings inner peace and earns the trust of others but also places a person on the path of perfection and worldly and otherworldly success, bringing immense rewards from the Lord. This path is a continuous journey of self-improvement and vigilance that, through repetition and practice, becomes a habit and then an ingrained moral quality, making one's speech illuminated and impactful.