Some people trick others into believing their lies by mixing truth with lies. And example of that is when someone shares information about someone else, but adds a few lies so you believe the lies and you will think badly about the person being gossiped about. This is what Allah warns us about in the Quran.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:42), Allah says:

“Do not mix truth with lies and do not knowingly hide the truth.”

What Does This Mean?

If someone tells lies all the time, they’ll be easily found out and others will understand that they’re lying. But when people tell mostly the truth, and add in a few lies, it can be hard for others to separate the truth from the lies. The liar may change stories, hide important facts, or make a good person look like a bad person. This verse teaches us that tricking people, especially if lying about Islam, is wrong.

How Can We Live by This Verse?

• Don’t lie to make others look bad or to hide something you’ve done. Telling the truth may not always be easy, but it’s the right thing to do. In exceptional circumstances you might need to lie to keep yourself safe from a dangerous person, but you should always have safe people in your life who you tell the truth to.

• Don’t spread false information. If you’re unsure about something, don’t pass it on as if it’s true. Be careful about believing others without proof, especially if you don’t know the people well or only know them via social media.

• Stand up for what’s right. Even if others are quiet, speaking the truth helps bring justice and fairness. When telling the truth, you must make sure that you’re safe and won’t suffer harm. Always try to expose the truth in a safe way, to people who you can trust.

Honesty is a sign of strength and faith, especially when we’re being honest about our own faults, and when we’re protecting others from lies against them. We must also be particularly wary of people who twist the teachings of Islam for their own purposes.