Tradition

"لاَ تَنْظُرُوا إلى كَثْرةِ صَلاتِهِمْ و صَوْمِهِمْ وَ كَثْرَةِ الْحَجِّ و الْمَعْرُوفِ و طَنْطَنَتِهمْ بِالليْلِ وَلكِنْ اُنْظُرُوا إلى صِدْق الْحَدِيْثِ وَ أَداءِ الأَمانَةِ"

The Prophet (S) is narrated to have said: “Do not look only at the number of prayers, fasting sessions, Hajj pilgrimages, night vigils, or good acts (towards others) of the people (even though these things are important). Rather, look at their truthfulness and trustworthiness.”1

Brief Commentary

When one looks at the Islamic traditions, it becomes clear that there are two definite signs of a true Muslim: truthfulness and trustworthiness. Even though acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, and the Hajj pilgrimage are all very important and instrumental in the growth of human beings, these should not be considered the only signs of faith. They must be accompanied with the attributes of truthfulness and trustworthiness.

• 1. Taken from the book: Safinat al-Bihar.