Guarding the tongue

Published on 13 May 2024 at 13:37

A slave [of Allah] may utter a word without giving it much thought by which he slips into the fire a distance further than that between the east and the west.

[Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]

Indeed, our words can be a potent force, capable of causing significant damage, including to ourselves.

They destroy our good deeds, they destroy our family relationships, they destroy our community, they destroy peoples reputations, peoples dignity, self respect, self image and people.

 

Please refrain from engaging in idle gossip and meaningless chatter. Instead, let us focus on using our words for good, so that the angels who are recording our conversations may only record virtuous and uplifting speech.

 

"Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer (angel) prepared [to record].  

[Quran: Surah Qaf 50, verse 18]

 

Be mindful of the words you speak when you are feeling upset or angry. Once spoken, they cannot be retracted, and the only recourse is to seek forgiveness from those you may have unintentionally harmed with your words. Furthermore, it is important to learn from these experiences and make a commitment to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.

It is important to be conscious of the words we use, especially when we are feeling angry. In moments of weakness, we may say things that we do not truly mean and that can have lasting negative consequences. When we are angry, it is important to take a step back and calm down before speaking. This will help us to avoid saying things that we will later regret.

 

In a metaphorical sense, when hurtful words are directed at someone, it can be likened to an arrow piercing through their emotional well-being. While the individual may eventually recover from the initial pain, the repeated infliction of such hurtful actions can cause deeper and more enduring wounds, leaving lasting scars on their spirit.

 

So try not to scar people and the same goes for yourself. Speak only good things about yourself, don't create scars.

 

"O you  who believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice."

[Qur'an: Surah al-Ahzab (The Combined Forces) 33, verse 70]

 

It is important to remember that Allah is always watching over us and that we will be held accountable for our words.

 

CONTROL YOUR TONGUE AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART 

Luqman (علیه السلام) was an Ethiopian Slave who was a carpenter.

His master said to him: "Slaughter this sheep for us." so he slaughtered it.

His master said: "Bring the best two pieces from it." so he brought out the tongue and the heart.

Then time passed, as much as Allah willed, and his master said: "Slaughter this sheep for us." so he slaughtered it.

His master said: "Bring the worst two morsels from it." so he brought out the tongue and the heart.

His master said to him: "I told you to bring out the best two pieces, and you brought these, then I told you bring out the worst two pieces, and you brought these!"

Luqman (علیه السلام) said: "There is nothing better than these if they are good, and there is nothing worse than these if they are bad."

‎[Tafsir Ibn Kathir 31:12]

 

From this, we can conclude that the tongue has an effect on the heart. If the words spoken are positive and uplifting, the heart will remain in a positive state. However, if the tongue utters negative and unpleasant words, the heart will suffer as a result.

 

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