Question

Kindly provide a reference for this Hadith.

“Speak the truth even if you see your ruin or death in it, for in it, is your salvation. Leave falsehood even if may hold out to you the promise of success and salvation, for actually, your ruin lies in it.”

 

Answer

I have not come across this narration in any of the authentic primary or secondary Hadith sources. This narration appears in Shi’i sources as the statement of Musa Al Kazim (rahimahullah).

The following statement of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) should be quoted instead:

“Always speak the truth, even if it leads to your death”

(Rawdatul ‘Uqala of Imam Ibn Hibban pg. 82-83. See here)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

ميزان الحكمة -من كتب الشيعة:
الإمام الكاظم: قل الحق وإن كان فيه هلاكك، فإن فيه نجاتك ودع الباطل وإن كان فيه نجاتك فإن فيه هلاكك

روضة العقلاء ونزهة الفضلاء (ص: ٨٢-٨٣)
عن سعيد بن المسيب قال وضع عمر بن الخطاب رضى الله عنه للناس ثمانية عشر كلمة كلها حكم قال:…وعليك بالصدق وإن قتلك الصدق…