The first virtue in the Monotheistic doctrine is the truthfulness of the tongue.
According to the Monotheistic doctrine, God Almighty has favored humans over other creatures in a number of ways, including: the ability to speak and converse, and the ability to express what they want through language. Speech is the special gift that the Creator of the universe, glory be to Him, has bestowed upon the human race; therefore, the Monotheistic doctrine emphasizes that it is a human's duty to safeguard the speech that issues from their mouth and originates from them, just as they are keen to protect and safeguard themselves and their life. Speech may reflect reality honestly and truthfully, but it can also falsify, distort, and misrepresent reality. Given that humans are free to use their tongues, they are prone to using them in an improper and deceitful manner, to hide information from others, to convey incomplete or fabricated information to them, and even to harm those around them, or mislead them, through what they say.
In light of this, the Monotheistic doctrine emphasizes that it is the duty of the monotheistic believer to guard their tongue and be mindful of the words that issue from them; the intention is to speak only the truth, to adhere strictly to honesty, to be careful with their words and scrutinize them, and to refrain entirely from lying and false speech. They must guard their tongue against backbiting, gossip, mockery, idle talk, obscenity, insults and slander, argumentation, and exaggeration; they must also guard it against praising themselves, for one who praises himself is blameworthy before God Almighty and people.
We must know that the virtue of guarding the tongue has a very broad meaning. Telling the truth requires frankness, honesty, integrity, fairness, and uprightness in dealings between people, between a person and themselves, and, of course, between a person and their Creator.
A person who possesses these qualities is also obligated to be careful with their actions and relationships with their surroundings; they are a person who is keen to fulfill all promises and commitments, to tell the truth, even if it is difficult, harsh, or unpleasant to the listener, and to apologize for their mistakes and correct them. Everyone who guards their tongue serves through their actions as an example and role model for those around them. In addition, the Monotheistic doctrine emphasizes that a person who speaks lies is like someone who lies to their Creator, and God Almighty is present everywhere and is All-Knowing. It is stated in the Holy Quran: {And indeed, your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they declare} (Surah An-Naml (27), verse 74). Therefore, speaking the truth is a way through which a human expresses their faith in God Almighty, who hates lying and guides His creation to the path of truth and the straight path. It is stated in the Old Testament (Torah) of the Holy Bible: "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight" (Proverbs, Chapter 12, Verse 22).
Adapted from the Monotheistic Heritage
