That she heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "He who makes peace between the people by inventing good information or saying good things, is not a liar."
Exposition of the Hadith on Peacemaking
This noble tradition from Sahih al-Bukhari (2692) reveals the profound wisdom of Islamic jurisprudence regarding the preservation of social harmony and the prevention of discord among Muslims.
The Permissibility of Tactful Speech
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) clarifies that one who fabricates positive statements or conveys agreeable information for the purpose of reconciling hearts between disputing parties does not fall under the category of liars in the religious sense.
This demonstrates the principle of "al-maslaha al-mursala" (public interest) wherein certain prohibitions may be temporarily suspended when a greater benefit to the Muslim community is achieved.
Scholarly Conditions and Limitations
The classical scholars, including Imam Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, have stipulated conditions for this permission: the peacemaking must be intended to reconcile Muslims, prevent bloodshed, or preserve family ties.
This concession does not extend to false testimony in legal matters, nor does it permit slandering others or spreading falsehood about Islamic beliefs and practices.
Practical Applications
This teaching finds application in family mediation, business disputes, and community conflicts where carefully chosen words can bridge differences without compromising essential truths.
The wisdom lies in distinguishing between harmful falsehood and beneficial diplomatic speech that serves the higher objective of maintaining peace within the Ummah.