The Necessity of Consistency Between Essence and Word
The most unwavering foundation of Islamic morality and Sufi development is siddq, meaning truthfulness. The discrepancy between what the tongue utters and what the heart believes, between outward actions and inward intentions, is the disease of hypocrisy (duplicity) that leads a person to ruin on the spiritual path. Abdülkadir Geylânî (may Allah be pleased with him) strongly warns believers against this danger: “Let your words and deeds be one; let them coincide. Do what you say. Do not be like those who preach to the people while deceiving themselves.” A person whose heart and tongue are in conflict is, even if they appear pious outwardly, no different from a rotten ruin within.
The End of False Claims
Claims that remain only in words do not suffice to progress even a single step on the spiritual path. Geylânî (may Allah be pleased with him) states, “A claim without evidence cannot be proven. Knowledge without action is useless,” indicating that all forms of pseudo-religiosity lacking truthfulness and sincerity will result in failure in the Hereafter. To say ‘I worship only You’ with one’s tongue while harboring idols (worldliness, love of status) other than Allah in one’s heart is the greatest lie.
Truthfulness to Enlighten Humanity
A person’s ability to awaken from spiritual heedlessness depends on their being truthful at every moment and under all circumstances. According to the secret, “It is truth that awakens you; falsehood and error, conversely, immerse you further, distancing you from all good.” Therefore, a believer who adheres to truthfulness maintains constant spiritual vigilance (alertness). A servant who completely abandons lies and deception and lives every moment of their life transparently and in accordance with the pleasure of Allah establishes unity and sincerity within their heart. This unwavering truthfulness rescues the servant from worldly humiliation and elevates them to eternal honor.