“Honesty Is Nothing”: Its Meaning and Ruling

Question

Zayd, in order to clear up Maryam’s misunderstanding, said to her, “After all, honesty does count for something.” Maryam, without thinking, said in a state of anger, “Honesty is nothing.” Does any defect in iman arise from this statement or not? And is there a need to repeat the marriage contract or not?

Answer

The common meaning of the Urdu word “ایمانداری” (honesty; lit. “possessing iman”) is telling the truth and not having an ulterior motive in view; belief in God is not what is meant by it. When Maryam said, “Honesty is nothing,” it was that meaning she intended to negate, not belief in God. Hence no fatwa of kufr will be issued against her.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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