Address by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri (may Allah bless him abundantly) at the sixth اخلاقی و روحانی تربیتی نشست on the theme “The Noble Character of the Holy Prophet ﷺ”
Delivering an address at the sixth moral and spiritual training session held during the last ten days of Ramadan at the central secretariat of Minhaj-ul-Quran International on the topic “The Noble Character of the Holy Prophet ﷺ,” Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri stated that every aspect of the blessed life (Seerah) of the Holy Prophet ﷺ is a complete source of guidance for humanity. His noble life is a practical embodiment of truthfulness, trustworthiness, compassion, love, and the highest moral excellence—an example unmatched in human history.
Shaykh-ul-Islam said that in the well-known Hadith of Khadijah, Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyidah Khadijah al-Kubra (may Allah be pleased with her) mentioned several great qualities of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, among which one fundamental attribute is ṣidq al-ḥadīth—always speaking the truth.
Shaykh-ul-Islam clarified that merely speaking the truth is one thing, but becoming the embodiment of truth is a higher station. Truthfulness, he said, is not just a moral virtue; rather, it is the pivot of a person’s entire personality. Ṣidq means that no contradiction remains between one’s outward and inward state, heart and mind, speech and actions. When all dimensions of a person’s personality are united upon a single reality—truth—this is true truthfulness.
Shaykh-ul-Islam further stated that in Islam, the foundation of spirituality is the status of truthfulness. He said that all virtues such as righteousness, goodness, sincerity, and moral excellence flow from this very source of truthfulness. If a person becomes accustomed to lying, even their good deeds lose their effectiveness.
He said that it is an established principle of morality that truthfulness is the root of all virtues. A person who consistently speaks the truth and completely avoids falsehood eliminates inner contradictions and, through truthfulness, begins to reflect the Divine attribute Al-Ḥaqq. In contrast, lying creates inner unrest, anxiety, and contradiction within a person.
Referring to the social and societal dimension, Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri said that sociologists agree that trust is the greatest social capital of any society. The life of the Holy Prophet ﷺ is a shining example of this reality: even before the declaration of Prophethood, the people of Makkah used to call him al-Ṣādiq and al-Amīn because of their complete trust in his truthfulness and integrity.
Citing modern psychology and neuroscience research, he said that the human brain is naturally structured to speak the truth. Telling the truth places less cognitive load on the brain, whereas lying requires extra mental effort. He said that a person who lies first suppresses the real truth, then fabricates a new narrative, and remains under constant mental pressure to remember and maintain it. As a result, stress increases, the nervous system is affected, and a person’s focus and inner peace are disturbed.
Shaykh-ul-Islam said that truthfulness grants inner peace and confidence, whereas falsehood leads to mental chaos and anxiety. This is why Allah Almighty has declared truthfulness to be a path of tranquility and salvation. A person who adopts truthfulness both inwardly and outwardly becomes free from psychological pressure and develops a strong, confident personality. Such individuals are capable of facing challenges and contribute to building trust and stability in society.
He further said that the Holy Prophet ﷺ clearly instructed his Ummah to always speak the truth and make it the hallmark of their lives. When a person’s thoughts, intentions, speech, and actions are all grounded in truth, they attain the rank of the Ṣiddīqīn. Conversely, one who habitually lies is considered a liar in the sight of Allah. Muslims should adopt truthfulness in every aspect of their lives so that contradictions between their inner and outer selves are eliminated, enabling them to truly follow the Prophetic model and contribute to the formation of a righteous and trustworthy society.
The اmoral and spiritual session was attended by Chairman Supreme Council Minhaj-ul-Quran International Prof. Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, President Minhaj-ul-Quran International Prof. Dr. Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, President Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League International Dr. Ghazala Qadri, Ms. Fizza Hussain Qadri, founding member Shaykh Muhammad Aslam Qadri, founding member UK Haji Abdul Ghafoor Qadri, as well as scholars, spiritual leaders, organizational representatives, and a large number of participants from different walks of life.
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