What does the Quran say about lying?

The command to be truthful

Truthfulness (sidq) is one of the core qualities of a believer. The Quran doesn't just say "don't lie"; it tells you to be among the truthful and to keep their company.

The Prophet ﷺ explained where each path leads: truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise, while lying leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the Fire (Sahih al-Bukhari 6094).

What the Quran says about liars

• Lying and faith don't fit together. "They only invent falsehood who do not believe in the verses of Allah, and it is those who are the liars" (Quran 16:105).
• Lying about Allah is among the worst wrongs: "who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie?" (Quran 6:21).
• False testimony. Believers are told to "avoid false statement" (Quran 22:30) and to testify for justice even against themselves (Quran 4:135).
• Hypocrisy. The hypocrites are described as liars (Quran 63:1), and the Prophet ﷺ named lying when speaking as one of the signs of a hypocrite (Sahih al-Bukhari 33).

Are there any exceptions?

The Prophet ﷺ said that someone who makes peace between people by passing on good words is not a liar (Sahih al-Bukhari 2692). Another narration mentions three cases: reconciling people, in war, and between husband and wife (Sahih Muslim 2605). Scholars explain that the spouse exception is about kind words and affection ("I love your cooking"), not hiding money, cheating or anything that harms the other's rights. Many scholars also prefer indirect speech (tawriya) to an outright lie when possible.

Everyday "white lies" and lying on official paperwork are not covered by these exceptions. See Is it haram to lie on government forms? Joking is fine too, as long as it isn't made up to deceive. See Is it haram to tell jokes?

If you've lied in the past

Many converts arrive with old habits, and that's okay. Islam wipes out what came before, and repentance is always open. If a lie hurt someone's rights, try to put it right where you can. Then start small: one honest answer at a time. Parents can teach the same value at home, even around Santa. See What do I tell my children about Santa as a Muslim?