Islam gave attentive care to the manner of speech and the way it functions, as the word coming out indicates an individual’s level of intellect and manners. We must make sure that all of that which we speak in this world is limited to these three issues and if we fall out of this boundary, then we will incur a loss. If your words are good, you can earn rewards. But you can also utter words that make you lose the reward of your previous good deeds. Allah says:
إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ
“When you received it with your tongues and you said with your mouths whatnot for you of it any knowledge, and you thought it (was) insignificant, while it (was) near Allah great.” (Surah An-Nur 24:15)
The dangers of the tongue cannot be compared to the dangers of any other body part. The tongue is always at the disposal of the person, and sometimes the following similitude is given that. You can either show yourself as good or bad people. You can use your tongue to show obedience to Allah, seeking knowledge, doing good deeds, and forbidding evil deeds. Allah says:
إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُم مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُم بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِندَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ
“Behold, ye received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things of which ye did not know; and ye thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allah.” (Surah An-Nur, 24:15)
The tongue is one of the greatest blessings of Allah, small but does great deeds and damage at the same time. Through the tongue, true faith unfolds and infidelity emerges, its extent is endless like a vast arena. Who you truly are expressed through the tongue.
Some of the evils of the tongue that we have been warned of are as follows:
- Tongue spreading talk from one person to another
- Tongue hurting others through one’s speech
- Tongue disputes, quarrelling and arguing
- Tongue making up things while speaking
- Tongue arguing with others to find faults
- Tongue spreading secrets about others
- Tongue making others feel worthless
- Tongue picking apart a discussion
- Tongue involving himself in issues
- Tongue boasting about one’s self
- Tongue making false promises
- Tongue promote backbiting
- Tongue leads to going in lying
- Tongue speaking on vain issues
- Tongue arguing and quarrelling
- Tongue spreading evil, corruption
- Tongue hypocrisy in one’s speech
- Tongue excessively praising others
- Tongue speak what one knows with
- Avoid arguing, even if you are in the right
- Avoid breaking confidences with your tongue
- Avoid listening to any of the negative speech
- Avoid talking about their quarrels or relations
- Avoid lending your ear to arguments, backbiting
- Avoid false things that your tongues may put forth
The tongue is a great blessing from Allah. If we look at the animals, who are unable to speak, we realize the importance of this great tool of communication. We should not do what we would hate others to do against them, and we should spend our time fruitfully engaged in acts of obedience. We should regret acts of backbiting that we may have done before and repent to Allah sincerely. Allah says:
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ
“And said your Lord, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Indeed, those who (are) proud to worship Me will enter Hell (in) humiliation.” (Surah Ghafir 40:60)
If a person is good, it reflects in their saying. Allah has made it very easy for the tongue to move, and it is not difficult to realize that a person’s tongue moves much more as if compared to the limbs. So if a person is not careful about what he says, even a single saying of his can invalidate his actions. It is for this reason that the whole body warns the tongue.
Controlling the Tongue is a characteristic of a Muslim:
- Speak Truthfully: We need to tell the truth. Then we will be able to know who else is doing it. First of all, who speaks of sincerity and therefore of truth.
- Speak with Justice: Allah says that we should stand firm in Justice even against our family and friends, He does not only mean the Justice of the worldly life but also the Justice that one follows by embracing Islam.
- Speak moderately: Respond to what they hear so that each comment is easily heard by other participants.
- Speak Positively: The words you speak become the house you live in,” holds great truth. The world mirrors yourself back to you.
- Speak Beautifully: We have all heard at least one person in our lives whose voice is so beautiful and rich that we enjoy listening to them speak.
- Speak Gently: Speak gently is the best way to train a child and win over his love and trust. If you don’t adopt a mild attitude your teachings will not persist for a prolonged period.
- Speak Deeply: You can also speak deeply by projecting your voice and trying out particular techniques in the moment, such as swallowing before you speak.
- Speak graciously: Your speech should always be gracious, so that you may know. One of the keys to being a refined and graceful person starts with our words, in the way that we speak to others and even to ourselves.
- Speak effectively: Speaking effectively is defined as speaking in such a way that your message is heard and, if possible, acted upon. Effective speaking skills are indeed useful in converting clear useful thoughts or ideas to spoken words.
- Speak Humbly: Humble people allow others to speak into their lives, giving their open, honest opinions. As a humble person, you should recognize that everyone, including you, has their own goals and dreams.
- Speak without a Lie: Telling the truth is natural, but telling a lie requires you to control your natural urge and access your inhibitory control. It’s challenging to talk to someone who you think is lying. It’s even more challenging when they are also struggling with substance use.
- Listen generously: To hear how others’ concerns are connected to theirs so that joint, creative possibilities can be considered.
- Think productively: To include the concerns of all so that proactive discussions can be held.
- Decide wisely: To persevere through short difficult phases so that all involved benefit from the progress being made.
- Conclude satisfactorily: To show good faith so that resolution brings benefits for all involved.
The tongue is the most dangerous part of the body. You can either enter the Jannah of burning in the Hellfire through your tongue. It is said that the tongue is sharper than the blade.
Here are some Ayats of the Quran that teaches us the manners of Speaking:
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ
“Those who [they] from the vain talk turn away.” (Mu’minun 23:1-3)
لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ
“Not move with it your tongue to hasten with it.” (Al-Qiyamah 75:16 )
فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ
“And speak to him a word gentle, perhaps he may take heed or fear.” (Ta-Ha 20:44)
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَاهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
“Indeed, We have made it easy in your tongue so that they may take heed.” (Ad-Dukhan 44:58 )
The prohibitions of the tongue are that you do not lie, abuse, use foul language, backbite, and slander. The level of conversation judges its general standard and the extent that good virtues fuse in its environment. Allah says:
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَاهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ الْمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِ قَوْمًا لُّدًّا
“We made the (Quran) easy in thine own tongue, that with it thou mayest give Glad Tidings to the righteous, and warnings to people given to contention.” (Surah Maryam 19:97)
If a person is good, it reflects in their saying. Allah has made it very easy for the tongue to move. You are who your friends are. Surround yourself with good companies, those who won’t’ lure you to gossip about others. It’s impossible to badmouthing someone on your own, and all you need is a bad company, to begin with. Nobody knows you better than you are. Allah says:
وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ الْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَالٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
“And (do) not say for that which assert your tongues, the lie, “This (is) lawful and this (is) forbidden,” so that you invent about Allah the lie. Indeed, those who invent about Allah the lie, they will not succeed.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:116)
You can use your tongue to show obedience to Allah, seeking knowledge, doing good deeds, and forbidding evil deeds. Do everything necessary to avoid sinning with your tongue. May Allah protect us and keep us away from every sin of the tongue and help us become those who have the similitude of looters of war booty. Ameen
