Page 21 - What the Qur'an Says about Liars and Their Methods

Why People Lie
has been kept waiting. Here, the basic aim is to let the other
person know that his having waited is not important, that his
wishes have no meaning, and to make him angry by suggest-
ing that he is credulous.
Lying in order to mock others is also a widespread form of
immorality. For instance, a person who wants to mock one of
his friends might convince him that a fictitious event really
took place. Believing his lying friend's words, he passes on the
"news" to others and, when the truth comes out, is regarded as
credulous or stupid. This entertains people who enjoy lying
and mocking others. By mocking their friends' credulity and
belief in them, such liars consider themselves to be very cun-
ning and intelligent. In reality, however, Allah does not ap-
prove of this and the mocker eventually is exposed as a
manipulative person who is disliked. He has, therefore, fallen
into his own trap, for while trying to demean others he has
only demeaned himself.
In the following verse, Allah announces that He forbids
lying and mocking others:
O you who believe! People should not ridicule others
who may be better than themselves, nor should any
women ridicule other women who may be better than
themselves... (Surat al-Hujurat, 49:11)
While some people thoughtlessly mock others and lie to
entertain themselves for a few minutes, they are really engag-
ing in unacceptable and immoral behavior. When informed of
this fact, people who do not adhere to the Qur'an's morality
may reply: "So what? We're just enjoying ourselves," thereby
refusing to see mocking others and lying as bad characteristics.
That these two characteristics are so widespread and are
almost habitual to many people does not alter the fact that they

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