A Command to Speak the Truth

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

“فَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ”

(Qur’ān 18:29)

“Fa-man shāʾa fa-l-yuʾmin, wa-man shāʾa fa-l-yakfur”

“So whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve.” (Qur’ān 18:29). Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm.

“Speak the truth, speak the word of truth,” commands Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla. He ﷻ says, “Let whoever wishes believe, and let whoever wishes remain in disbelief.” This is a wisdom of Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla for people.

His ﷻ wisdom cannot be questioned. We cannot compare to what He ﷻ knows. The limits of our knowledge are known; we cannot even reach the limits of Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla. The highest is our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam. It is impossible for us to attain his ﷺ wisdom and knowledge.

Therefore, Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla commanded our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam, “Speak the truth. Let whoever wishes believe, and whoever does not, it is up to them.” Those who do not believe will face a difficult reckoning. Believing is a great blessing, as we always say, a great honor, a gain, the greatest gain.

In this world, if you win or lose; you just manage and move on. But when you die, there’s no turning back; there’s no going back. Because once the soul leaves, its place is different and the body’s place is different; they can no longer exist together. And when that happens, it’s of no use anymore.

Therefore, you must speak the truth, but not force anyone; let those who want to believe, believe. You can’t force anyone now. We are in a time when īmān is at its weakest. So, don’t say, “I’ll do this, I’ll do that,” just speak the truth.

Whoever speaks the truth need not fear anyone; that’s the word of truth. Because there’s no coercion, you can say, “I’ll say this, whoever accepts it, accepts; if not, that’s up to them.” You can’t force it by hitting someone on the head; that would harm you.

Therefore, this word is the beautiful word of Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla. This is what is acceptable. Speak the truth. Who wants to accept it, accepts; Who doesn’t want to accept knows for himself. “I believe, I don’t believe.” If you believe, you win. If you don’t believe, it will be a great disappointment, a great loss for you. An irreparable loss.

After the last breath, that person departs without īmān, may Allāh ﷻ protect us. There is no compensation for that. While in this world, there is compensation; one can repent and seek forgiveness, and Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla will forgive him.

But after one takes their last breath, it’s too late. Therefore, you must be with the Truth, speak the Truth, and to accept the Truth, in shā’a Llāh. May Allāh ﷻ make us among those who accept the Truth. Wa min Allah at-Tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

•⁠ ⁠Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق

8 January 2025/ 19 Rajab 1447

Fajr Prayer – Akbaba Dergah, Istanbul

---