How is the attribute of lying understood to be one of the hypocrite’s characteristics, and does it apply to casual lying? What is the ruling on lying in spreading rumors? When is a man considered a liar in the sight of Allah? What are the degrees of lying? What is lying related to religion? What is lying related to a promise? What is the ruling on saying "In sha' Allah" (God willing) with the intention of not fulfilling the action?

Lying is considered a characteristic of hypocrites, and its perpetrator deserves punishment, except in cases of necessity, such as war, reconciling people, and a husband with his wife. A severe warning has been issued to those who lie or transmit false news: "It is enough a lie for a person to narrate everything he hears." And whoever tells a lie that reaches the horizons will be punished in the Barzakh (interim world).

As for the question of when a man is recorded as a liar by Allah, it is for those who frequently lie and intentionally seek to do so, "until he is recorded as a liar with Allah." This Hadith does not apply to those who rarely lie, but rather to those who make it a habit and frequently engage in it.

The degrees of lying vary depending on whom the lie is told to and the corruptions it leads to. Lying about Allah is not like lying about people, and "Indeed, a lie about me is not like a lie about anyone else." And a lie whose corruptions reach the horizons is not like a limited lie.

As for a promise, it is an undertaking to do good. Breaking a promise is failing to fulfill it intentionally without an excuse. Whoever does not intend to fulfill a promise should not make it to people. Keeping promises is a sign of faith, and breaking them is an indication of lying and weakness in religion.