The Tongue: Speak Good or Remain Silent | Last Part

  الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَلَمِينَ وَالصَّلَوٰةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّنَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَنِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

3. Mention your brother behind his back only in the manner that you would like him to mention you. Forgive him for those matters in which you hope he would forgive you.

4. Treat your brother in the same way that you wish him to treat you.

5. Act like a person who is certain that he will be rewarded for good deeds and held accountable for sins.³¹

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيبِ      صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد

Four Sayings of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ Regarding the Virtue of Silence

1. مَنْ صَمَتَ نَجَا “Whoever remains silent attains salvation.”³²

Explanation: Silence is a means of salvation. However, speaking words of goodness, commanding good, forbidding evil, remembering Allah Almighty, and reciting the Qur'an are superior to remaining silent. According to another explanation, the meaning is: “Whoever remains silent from evil speech has attained salvation.”

2. اَلصَّمْتُ سَيِّدُ الْأَخْلَاقِ “Silence is the leader of noble character.”³³

3. اَلصَّمْتُ أَرْفَعُ الْعِبَادَةِ “Silence is among the highest forms of worship.”³⁴

References

³¹ Ihya' al-'Ulum (Urdu), vol. 3, p. 344

³² Tirmidhi, vol. 4, p. 225, Hadith 2509

³³ Al-Firdaws, vol. 2, p. 417, Hadith 3850

³⁴ Al-Firdaws, vol. 2, p. 417, Hadith 3849

 

Explanation: Silence is one of the finest forms of worship because most sins are committed through the tongue.

1. اَلصَّمْتُ زَيْنٌ لِلْعَالِمِ، وَسَتْرٌ لِلْجَاهِلِ “Silence is an adornment for the scholar and a covering for the ignorant.”

Better Than Sixty Years of Worship

The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم said: “Remaining steadfast upon silence is better than sixty years of worship.”

Explanation: Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ explains: If a person worships for sixty years but speaks excessively without distinguishing between good and bad speech, then it is better for him to remain silent for a short while. Silence contains reflection upon the Hereafter, self-reformation, immersion in spiritual realities, hidden remembrance of Allah Almighty, and deep contemplation.

Speak Good or Remain Silent

Would that this blessed Hadith became firmly established in our minds:

مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should either speak good or remain silent.”

References

³⁵ Siraj-e-Muneer, Sharah-e-Jam-e-Sagheer vol. 3, p. 279

³⁶ Jami' al-Saghir, p. 318, Hadith 5159

³⁷ Shu'ab al-Iman, vol. 4, p. 245, Hadith 4953

³⁸ Mir'at al-Manajih, vol. 6, p. 361

The Beloved Prophet ﷺ Was Known for Long Periods of Silence

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ طَوِيلَ الصَّمْتِ

“The Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم would remain silent for long periods.”

Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ explains: This refers to silence from worldly conversation. Otherwise, the blessed tongue of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم was constantly moist with the remembrance of Allah Almighty. He صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم did not engage in unnecessary conversation with people. This refers to lawful speech, for unlawful speech never once emerged from his blessed tongue throughout his entire life. Lies, backbiting, tale-carrying, and similar evils never once came from his blessed tongue. The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم was entirely truthful, so how could falsehood ever reach him?

References

³⁹ Bukhari, vol. 4, p. 105, Hadith 6018

⁴⁰ Sharh al-Sunnah, vol. 7, p. 45, Hadith 3589

⁴¹ Mir'at al-Manajih, vol. 8, p. 81

The Importance of Guarding the Tongue is a valuable Islamic reminder that teaches believers the significance of controlling their speech. The article begins with a beautiful supplication and the virtues of sending abundant Salat upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It then presents authentic narrations, sayings of the Companions, and wisdom from the pious predecessors to illustrate how careless words can lead to spiritual loss while righteous speech becomes a source of reward. Readers are reminded that every word is recorded by the noble angels and that speaking without purpose can harden the heart and diminish blessings. The article encourages Muslims to avoid gossip, slander, backbiting, and all forms of harmful speech, replacing them with remembrance of Allah, beneficial conversation, and good manners. It serves as a practical guide for self-reformation, helping believers purify their hearts, improve their character, and prepare for accountability before Allah Almighty.

The Tongue Is Like a Lion Ready to Attack : Part 3

 

Sayyiduna Ibn Abi Muti' رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said:

١. لِسَانُ الْمَرْءِ لَيْثٌ فِي كَمِينِ إِذَا خَلَّى إِلَيْهِ لَهُ إِغَارَةٌ

٢. فَصُنْهُ عَنِ الْخَنَا بِلِجَامِ صَمْتِ يَكُنْ لَكَ مِنْ بَلِيَّاتِ سِتَارَةً

1.       The tongue is like a lion lying in ambush, ready to attack and cause destruction the moment it is given the opportunity.

2.       Therefore, restrain it from futile and inappropriate speech by placing upon it the bridle of silence. In this way, you will be protected from many calamities.²²

A Beast That Devours

A pious Qurayshi elder رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said: A scholar was once asked, “Why do you remain silent so often?” He replied, “I have found my tongue to be a beast that devours. I fear that if I let it loose, it will turn upon me and consume me.”²³

Protecting Wealth Is Easy, But the Tongue...

A person can secure his wealth by locking it away in a safe. If he possesses great treasure, he may even appoint armed guards to protect it. However, the real accomplishment is to successfully protect one's tongue. Thus, Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Wasi' رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said to Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinar رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ: “Protecting one's tongue is more difficult than protecting one's wealth.”²⁴

Generally, everyone is careful about safeguarding wealth. Yet if wealth is lost, the loss is only worldly. But sadly, concern for protecting the tongue has become very rare. Indeed, failure to guard the tongue can result not only in worldly harm but also in the destruction of one's Hereafter.

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيبِ      صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد

References

²² Minhaj al-'Abidin (Urdu), p. 145; Minhaj al-'Abidin, p. 66

²³ Ek Chup So Sukh (Fada'il-e-Khamoshi), p. 21

²⁴ Ithaf al-Sadah, vol. 9, p. 144

Six Signs of the Lovers

It is said:

Aashiqaan raa shish nishaan sat, ay pisar!

Aah-e sard-va-rang-e zard va chashm-e tar

Gar turaa pursand Se digar kudaam?

Kam khurd, kam guftan, va khuftan haraam

Translation: A true lover has six signs: (1) Deep sighs. (2) A pale complexion. (3) Tearful eyes. (4) Eating little. (5) Speaking little. (6) Sleeping little.

Six Signs of Ignorance

Becoming angry over every little matter, talking excessively, wasting wealth, revealing secrets to everyone, trusting everyone blindly, failing to avoid bad company, and not adopting good company are all signs of ignorance.

A wise person said that six traits identify a foolish person:

1.       Becoming angry at every matter that goes against his desires, whether caused by a person or something else.

2.       Engaging in useless conversation. A sensible person should speak only when there is benefit, whether worldly or religious.

3.       Wasting wealth. Spending money without reward or benefit is a sign of ignorance.

4.       Revealing confidential matters to everyone.

5.       Trusting everyone indiscriminately.

6.       Failing to distinguish between friends and enemies. A person should recognize righteous people and follow their example, and identify evil people and avoid them. Certainly, man's greatest enemy is Shaytan; one should never obey him in any matter and should strive to avoid all sins.²⁵

Four Frightening Harms of Useless Talk

Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ mentioned four reasons why useless speech is blameworthy: 1. Useless speech must be recorded by the Kiraman Katibin (the noble recording angels). Therefore, a person should feel ashamed before them and not burden them with writing pointless words.

Allah Almighty states in Surah Qaf, verse 18:

مَا يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ

He does not utter a word except that there is a guardian angel ready near him.²⁶

References

²⁵ Tanbih al-Ghafilin, p. 115, summarised

²⁶ Al-Quran, Surah Al- Qaf, verse 18; translation from Kanz al-‘Irfān

 

2. It is not appropriate that a person's Book of Deeds be presented in the court of Allah Almighty, filled with useless speech. 3. On the Day of Judgment, in front of all creation, a servant will be commanded to read out his Book of Deeds. At that time, the terrors of the Day of Judgment will be before him. He will be unclothed, suffering intense thirst, weakened by hunger, prevented from entering Paradise, and deprived of every comfort. Just reflect! In such painful circumstances, how distressing will it be to read out a Book of Deeds filled with useless conversation! Consider this calculation: if someone wastes only 15 minutes daily in useless talk, then in a 30-day month, this amounts to 7.5 hours. In one year, it becomes ninety hours. If a person continues this for fifty years, it totals 187 days and 12 hours, more than six months. Now imagine standing under the blazing sun of the Day of Judgment, enduring unimaginable heat, and having to continuously read a record of useless speech for over six months. And this is only for fifteen minutes of daily idle talk. Many people spend hours every day in pointless conversations, while sinful speech and other wrongdoings are additional to this.

4. On the Day of Judgment, a servant will be reproached for his useless speech and made to feel ashamed. He will have no answer and will be overwhelmed with regret before Allah Almighty.²⁷

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيبِ      صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد

References

27 Minhaj al-'Abidin, p. 67

Learn Silence

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin 'Abdullah رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا: “Learn silence, then learn forbearance, then acquire knowledge, then learn to act upon it, and then teach and spread that knowledge.”²⁸

Worship Begins with Silence

Imam Sufyan al-Thawri رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “The beginning of worship is silence, then seeking knowledge, then preserving it, then acting upon it, and then spreading it.”²⁹

Silence Is the Key to Worship

Imam Sufyan al-Thawri رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said: “Abundant silence is the key to worship.”³⁰

Five Precious Pieces of Advice

The Tabi'i Imam Mujahid رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ narrates that he heard Sayyiduna 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا say: “There are five things more beloved to me than the finest black horses prepared for riding.” 1. Do not engage in useless speech, for it is pointless, and I fear it may lead you into sin. Even beneficial speech should not be spoken at an inappropriate time, for many people have fallen into difficulty by speaking useful words at the wrong moment.

2. Do not argue with a patient and forbearing person, nor with a foolish and ignorant one. The forbearing person may develop resentment toward you, while the foolish person may harm you with his words.

References

²⁸ Shu'ab al-Iman, vol. 2, p. 288, Saying 1791

²⁹ Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 6, p. 6

³⁰ Al-Samt ma'a Mawsu'at Ibn Abi al-Dunya, vol. 7, p. 255, Saying 436

The Tongue: Guard Your Tongue Before It Guards Against You | Part 2

 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَلَمِينَ وَالصَّلَوٰةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى خَاتَمِ النَّبِيِّنَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَنِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

What If you Had to Pay for Futile Speech?

Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinar رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said: "If the angels who record your deeds demanded payment from you every day for the pages upon which they write your actions, then, in order to save money, you would abandon many of your futile words. Yet despite knowing that these records, filled with your unnecessary speech, will be presented before your Noble Lord, why do you not restrain yourself from such talk?"¹²

The Angels Record Every Word

When dignified and respected people are present, or when one has to appear before worldly authorities and people of influence, the tongue is often carefully controlled. Yet despite knowing that the honourable angels are recording every word, people still engage in shameless and indecent speech. How do foul words and abuse find their way onto the tongue? Sayyiduna Imam Hasan Basri رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said: "It is astonishing that the Kiraman Katibin (the noble recording angels) are with a person, his tongue is their pen, and his saliva is their ink, yet he still engages in futile and indecent speech."¹³

References

¹² Ibn 'Asakir, vol. 56, p. 418.

¹³ Tanbih al-Mughtarrin, p. 190.

An Incident Regarding Futile Speech

Sayyiduna Abu Ubayd رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ narrates: "We visited Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Suqah رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ and he said: 'Shall I not tell you something that benefited me and may also benefit you?' Once, Sayyiduna Ata bin Abi Rabah رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said: 'O nephew! Those who came before you disliked futile speech. They regarded all conversation as futile except for the recitation of the Holy Qur'an, commanding good, forbidding evil, and necessary speech. Do you deny these statements of Allah Almighty?'

As Allah Almighty states:

وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ لَحَافِظِينَ ﴿١٠﴾ كِرَامًا كَاتِبِينَ ﴿١١﴾

And surely, there are guardians appointed over you, honourable scribes.¹⁴

And in another place:

عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ ﴿١٧﴾ مَا يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ ﴿١٨﴾

When the two scribe angels record; one seated to the right and one to the left. He does not utter a word except that there is a guardian angel ready near him.¹⁵

Then he said: 'Will none of you feel ashamed when his record of deeds for the entire day is opened before him, and he finds that most of it contains matters that were of no benefit to his religion nor to his worldly affairs?'"¹⁶

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيبِ      صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد

References

¹⁴ Al-Quran, Surah Al-Infitar, verses 10-11; translation from Kanz al-'Irfan.

¹⁵ Al-Quran, Surah Al-Qaf, verses 17-18; translation from Kanz al-'Irfan.

¹⁶ Allah Walon Ki Batain, vol. 3, p. 440.

A Farooqi Bouquet of Seven Madani Pearls

1.       The second Caliph of the Muslims, Sayyiduna Umar Faruq-e-Azam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ, said:

2.       The one who refrains from futile speech is granted wisdom and insight.

3.       The one who refrains from futile gazing—such as looking around without need or unnecessarily viewing various things and scenes—is granted humility and softness of the heart.

4.       The one who abandons unnecessary eating, or eating merely for pleasure, is granted sweetness in worship.

5.       The one who refrains from excessive laughter is blessed with dignity and awe.

6.       The one who avoids joking and mockery is granted the light of faith.

7.       The one who protects himself from the love of the world is granted love for the Hereafter.

8.       The one who refrains from searching for the faults of others is granted the ability to correct his own faults.¹⁷

صَلُّوا عَلَى الْحَبِيبِ      صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد

References

 

¹⁷ Al-Munabbihat, pp. 89–90, adapted.

The Reckoning for Futile Speech Will Be Lengthy

It has been said:

إِيَّاكَ وَالْفُضُولَ فَإِنَّ حِسَابَهُ يَطُولُ

"Beware of futile speech, for its reckoning will be lengthy."¹⁸

Speak Not, and you will be Safe from Affliction

Another pious elder رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said:

اِحْفَظْ لِسَانَكَ لَا تَقُولُ فَتُبْتَلَىٰ إِنَّ الْبَلَاءَ مُوَكَّلٌ بِالْمَنْطِقِ

"Protect your tongue. Do not speak unnecessarily lest you be afflicted, for tribulations are attached to speech."¹⁹

A Person's Intelligence Is Recognised Through His Speech

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mubarak رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ said:

اَلَا احْفَظُ لِسَانَكَ إِنَّ اللَّسَانَ      سَرِيعٌ إِلَى الْمَرْءِ فِي قَتْلِهِ

وَإِنَّ اللَّسَانَ دَلِيلُ الْفُؤَادِ          يَدُلُّ الرِّجَالَ عَلَىٰ عَقْلِهِ

1.       Protect your tongue, for this small limb can very quickly lead a person to destruction.

References

¹⁸ Minhaj al-'Abidin (Urdu), p. 147; Minhaj al-'Abidin, p. 67.

¹⁹ Minhaj al-'Abidin, p. 66.

 

2.       Indeed, the tongue is an indicator of what lies within the heart and reveals a person's level of intelligence.²⁰

Advice for one who Engages in Marketplace Talk

Shaykh Afdal al-Din رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ once heard a person engaging in vulgar and marketplace-style speech, so he said: “O brother! Allah Almighty created a servant's ears and tongue so that he may hear good and speak good. They were created so that one may listen to the Holy Qur'an, the blessed Ahadith, the Adhan, the Imam's Takbir al-Tahrimah, and the advice of those who counsel him. The tongue and ears were not created for joking, backbiting, slander, lying, tale-carrying, and useless talk. O brother! Refrain from using your ears and tongue without purpose, for this is pure loss. And if, due to the sharpness of your tongue, a sinful statement slips out, then immediately repent and seek forgiveness.”²¹

Dawat-e-Islami made her a Woman of Salah

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّه, the Dawat-e-Islami's religious environment is beneficial not only for Islamic brothers but also for Islamic sisters. A Muslim sister from Daska (Punjab), like many ordinary girls, used to follow impermissible fashions and neglect Salah. Later, she began attending a religious madrasah managed by her maternal uncle. One day, some Islamic sisters associated with Dawat-e-Islami came to invite Islamic sisters to the weekly Sunnah-inspired gathering. As a result, at the insistence of a friend, she attended an Islamic sisterhood gathering. There, she listened to a Sunnah-inspired Bayan, and the collective emotional Du'a touched her heart deeply. She repented of her sins. After becoming attached to the religious environment of Dawat-e-Islami, she also completed the 12-Day Madani Kaam Course for Islamic Sisters (now known as the Deeni Kaam Course). She received such blessings through Dawat-e-Islami that, in addition to performing her obligatory Salah, she also began offering voluntary prayers. She now has the passion to undertake extensive religious work in her village and says that, as long as she lives, she will remain associated with the religious movement of the lovers of the Prophet, Dawat-e-Islami.

References

²⁰ Minhaj al-'Abidin (Urdu), p. 144; Minhaj al-'Abidin, p. 66.

²¹ Al-Minan al-Kubra, p. 547.