Lesions of the Tongue

Since 2012-11-08

The tongue is one of the greatest blessings of Allah, small but does great deeds and damage in the same time. Through the tongue, true faith unfolds and infidelity emerges, its extent is endless like a vast arena.

 
 
All praise to Allah lord of the realms, and his blessing and peace be upon His prophet Mohamed and all his family and companions:

The tongue is one of the greatest blessings of Allah, small but does great deeds and damage in the same time. Through the tongue, true faith unfolds and infidelity emerges, its extent is endless like a vast arena. The interpreter of Hearts and Thoughts, machine of speech and statement, the good it made carved on the tablets of time and the evil it caused echoes through the eras. Whomever employs it wisely and for the sake useful utterance, commencing his affairs, restraining it with religious bond and placing it where it belongs is worthy of salvation. Whoever liberates it not monitoring what it utters, the devil will be his guide misleading him in different paths. People stumble in hellfire due to their tongues’ yields. Moreover, all the human body parts affected by the tongue through its straightness or its straying confirmed by the words of the Prophet , “When the son of Adam (any human) rises in the morning his body parts calls out to the tongue saying “Fear Allah in us, for we are affected by your utterance, if you go steadfast so do we, but if you go astray so do we”. [Reported by Al-Tirmizi an declaredHasan by Al-Albani]


 
رواه الترمذي وحسنه الألباني



Islam gave an 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. The level of conversation judges its general standard and the extent that good virtues fuse in it environment.

A person must ask himself before preaching others, is there any purpose of talking?

If there is any sound reason to talk then be it, if not then silence is preferable where it’s not necessary, thus he will be rewarded heavily performing a pleasant worship.

“In the name of Allah the only God, nothing is most deserving of imprisonment than a tongue.”

“Five matters that outweighs owning black stallions (1) Do not speak on matters that don’t concern you, its trivial for you and I am afraid that you would sin because of it. (2) Do not interact in a topic that concerns you unless there is meaning and effect to what you are going to say, you might be of concern but there is no effect to what you are saying thus subjected to criticism. (3) Do not quarrel a man of patience or a foolish man, the patient would hate you, and the foolish would harm you. (4) Mention your brother in a manner you would like to be mentioned, and forgive him from what you would like to be forgiven. (5) Act upon things knowing you will be rewarded for a kind act and held accountable for bad deeds.”

A Muslim cannot accomplish the five aforementioned qualities unless he restrains his tongue and leads it firmly curbing it where silence needed, and seizing for fruitful speech. As for who are led by their tongues they are lead astray.



A Hadith worthy of contemplating narrated in the two Sahih books by Aby Huraira May Allah be pleased with him that the prophet said: “The servant of Allah would utter a word that pleases Allah, not knowing it would, Allah would elevate his rank for it. A servant (another) of Allah would utter a word that would discontent Him while not noticing it would, it will lead him to fall deep in hell.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]


 
رواه البخاري

Evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah on restraining the tongue, “Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record]”[Qaf 50:18]

 
ق: 18

Transliteration: Ma yalfithu min qawlin illa ladayhi raqeebun AAateedun

This great advice, “O Muadh halt this and he held his tongue then continued saying that why people stumble on their nose in hellfire due to their tongues’ yield. [Reported by Al-Tirmizi an authenticated by Al-Albani]


 
رواه الترمذي وصححه الألباني

As a result, of the severity and magnitude of this issue, the companions may Allah be pleased with them have set the best examples in restraining one’s tongue. This is Abu Bakr May Allah be pleased with him said, holding his tongue, “This (the tongue) will lead me astray.”

“ I saw Ibn Abbas holding his tongue saying, “Woe to you, utter good you will be rewarded or hold from evil you will be safe, other than that you will regret it.” Then asked, why did you say that? He replied saying, “I was informed that nothing from all body parts would be exasperated or fury of the human with except the good he said or the good it lead to.”” “In the name of Allah the only God, nothing is most deserving of long time imprisonment than a tongue.”



Words are you captive, unless it departs the mouth you would be their captive, Allah almighty said, “,“Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record]”[Qaf 50:18]


 
ق: 18

Transliteration: Ma yalfithu min qawlin illa ladayhi raqeebun AAateedun

So if you wanted to know what lies in the hearts of beings, deduce it from the movement of the tongue (what it utters), it will tell you what lies in a person’s heart whether he displayed or concealed it.

The sin of uttering could contain Shirk (Polytheism), it’s one of the greatest sins to Allah Almighty. Such as talking about Allah without knowledge, this is the KIN of Shirk. Therefore the tongue is like a dagger with two blades, for the wise it is an instrument of Good and kindness, a ferry of salvation and success. To the snobby fool person it is a malicious scorpion, sticking to the flesh of a prey wickedly stinging it.







Seeking Deity with Allah (Shirk)

The knowledgeable Imam Ibn Hajjar says, “The sin of uttering could contain Shirk (Polytheism), it’s one of the greatest sins to Allah Almighty. speaking on Allah’s account with no knowledge”




Talking about Allah without knowledge

Talking about Allah without knowledge is one of heaviest sins, rather its greater than Shirk as stated by Ibn Qayim may Allah have mercy on him, “It is so because it’s the reason behind shirk, this specific reason behind is speaking on Allah’s account without knowledge.”




Slander

Its citing others’ flaws, referring to his brother with bad qualities whether he carried it or not, that’s how our beloved prophet Mohamed recited the revelation of Allah, “And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it.” [Al-Hujurat 49:12]


 
الحجرات: 12

Transliteration: wala yaghtab baAAdukum baAAdan ayuhibbu ahadukum an yakula lahma akheehi maytan fakarihtumoohu

Slandering is of three types:

Ghayba (Backbiting): if what you said about your brother is true behind his back.
Ifk (falsehood): transmitting backbiting made about your brother behind his back.
Buhtan (Defamation): Mentioning false features about your brother.

These are the categories of slandering, categorized by scholars, any statement that is meant to dispraise either by words, gestures, a wink, signal or writing is a slander.




Lying

In a hadith reported by Al-Bukhari, the Prophet mentioned what he saw from the torments of the people of hellfire, “As for the one whose cheek you saw being torn away, he was a liar and he used to tell lies, and the people would report those lies on his authority till they spread all over the world. So, he will be punished like that till the Day of Resurrection.”…


 
رواه البخاري

He also said, “Never lie, for lying leads to lewdness, and lewdness leads to hell. A man continues lying and seeking falsehood he will labeled by Allah as a liar.” [Reported by Muslim]

 
رواه مسلم




Defamation

Allah almighty said, “And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses - lash them with eighty lashes and do not accept from them testimony ever after. And those are the defiantly disobedient,” [Al-Nur 24:4]


 
النور: 4

Transliteration: Waallatheena yarmoona almuhsanati thumma lam yatoo biarbaAAati shuhadaa faijlidoohum thamaneena jaldatan wala taqbaloo lahum shahadatan abadan waolaika humu alfasiqoona

This type of Lesion is almost practiced by everyone except who is fortunate by the will of Allah as the most fall in the trap. Defamation of the believers by their chaste, their religion, or accusing them with false claims are heavy sins and considered as a Major Sin.




Perjury

Allah almighty said praising one of his servants, “And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity.” [Al-Furqan 25:72]


 
الفرقان: 72

Transliteration: Waallatheena la yashhadoona alzzoora waitha marroo biallaghwi marroo kiraman

Allah almighty also said, “And do not conceal testimony, for whoever conceals it - his heart is indeed sinful, and Allah is Knowing of what you do.” [Al-Baqara 2:283]


 
البقرة : 283

Transliteration: wala taktumoo alshshahadata waman yaktumha fainnahu athimun qalbuhu waAllahu bima taAAmaloona AAaleemun




Insult, cursing and ridiculing the believers

Allah almighty said: “O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” [Al-Hujurat: 11]


 
الحجرات: 11

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la yaskhar qawmun min qawmin AAasa an yakoonoo khayran minhum wala nisaon min nisain AAasa an yakunna khayran minhunna wala talmizoo anfusakum wala tanabazoo bialalqabi bisa alismu alfusooqu baAAda aleemani waman lam yatub faolaika humu alththalimoona




Making an Oath in the name of other than Allah

Swearing with things other than Allah like trust, integrity, oneself, father, children, honor, tribe , life or the Prophet’s life. He said, “Who swore with something other than Allah has committed shirk.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]


 
صححه الألباني

He Also said, “Who is about to make a swear, let it be in the name of Allah or hold silent.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]

 
صححه الألباني




Falsehood and holding the truth

“There are two big lesions of the tongue that if one is avoided the other won’t miss you, the lesion of speaking and the lesion of silence, both could be greater in sin than the other in its timing. Holding back the truth, not saying it, this person considered a dumb devil, disobedient to Allah, hypocrite bootlicker not fearing that it would affect him. Who utters falsehood is a speaking devil that disobeys Allah. Most people are deviant in their speech and silence, so they are swinging between these two lesions. People of the middle path are the people of the righteous path, keeping silent from falsehood and spoke with what would benefit them in the Hereafter.”




Cursing

Narated by Aby Al-Darda’ May Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah said, “Cursers are expelled giving intercession or being Martyrs in the day of resurrection.” [Narrated by Muslim & Authenticated By Al-Albani (without “in the day of resurrection”]


 
رواه مسلم وصححه الألباني بدون "فى يوم القيامة"

Narated by Aby Al-Darda’ May Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah said, “If the slave(worshiper of Allah) curses something, this curse rises to the heavens(skies) to find the doors of the heavens closed in its way, then it descends to earth to find its door also closed, roaming to the right and the left not finding a place to settle it will settle to the person cursed if he is worthy of it, if not then it will return to the person who uttered it.” [Reported by Aby Dawud classified as Hassan (Good) by Al-Albani]

 
رواه ابو داود وحسنه الألباني



A type of lying, widespread amongst people nowadays, it’s Joking. Where a person makes up a story with no root in real life, mocking other nationalities, lineage and countries all for the sake of making people laugh while it is not true. This is impermissible because it consisted of slander and lying for all the aforementioned individuals in these jokes.

Its doer threatened by the words of the Prophet: “Woe (Al Wayl) to whom tells false stories to folks to make them laugh, woe to him woe to him.” [Reported by Al-Tirmizi and classified as Hassan (good) by Al-Albani] (Al Wayl; is a valley in hell).


 
رواه الترمذى وحسنه الألباني



It is very pleasant to accustom one’s tongue to tender speech, thus whenever he speaks he only utters good. The pleasant and pure words respected by friends and foes and have good impact on people. With friends, it maintains intimacy and strengthens the bonds of friendship, a safeguard against the traps of the devil trying to plant hatred amongst them. Allah Almighty said: “And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.” [Al-Isra’ 17:53]


 
الإسراء: 53

Transliteration: Waqul liAAibadee yaqooloo allatee hiya ahsanu inna alshshaytana yanzaghu baynahum inna alshshaytana kana lilinsani AAaduwwan mubeenan

Tender speech with enemies calms down their dispute and breaks their sharp attitude or halts the evil and its development. Allah Almighty said: “And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.” [Fusilat 41:34]


 
فصلت: 34

Transliteration: Wala tastawee alhasanatu wala alssayyiatu idfaAA biallatee hiya ahsanu faitha allathee baynaka wabaynahu AAadawatun kaannahu waliyyun hameemun



One of the most dangerous mischief widely spread these days, even amongst the people labeled as pious, misfortunate chitchat that results in slandering the people of knowledge. Leading to a greater drawback, slitting confidence in the people of knowledge and causing repulsive environment between the knowledgeable brothers and Du’ah (Islamic preachers) to Allah almighty. All this is a result of carrying news and talks without awareness or verification.



We have to know that behind every word uttered a responsibility lies beneath, thus acknowledging the effect and realize how to deal with it. Many a time a tiny improper word, that could lead to cutting ties.

Many a time a harsh word said breaking up a whole family.

Many a time a misleading word that leads whom utters it out of the folds of Islam.

We Ask Allah refuge from that.

On the other hand,

Many A time a tender word said saving a life.

Many a time a pleasant word said that would help hold family ties.

Many A time a sincere word said leads who utter it to paradise.

We ask Allah to be amongst the dwellers of paradise. For the importance of the word and its effect, the messenger of Allah said: “Whoever believes in Allah and hereafter must utter good or hold his tongue.” [Agreed upon]


 
متفق عليه

If people put this hadeeth in context and cleared their intention in accordance with it, they would overcome a number of tragedies. In more than an occasion a rude not thought of word could spoil the intimacy between people, penetrating like a poisoned arrow, separating what was united and spoil the good.




Mentioning a person’s good qualities is not considered as slandering , like saying he is kind, good and maintains his prayers. This example is not slandering, slandering is mentioning your brother with things he would hate, like what the Prophet said: “slandering is citing your brother with what he would hate.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]


 
صححه الألباني

The following is considered as slandering; stingy, coward, dirty tongue and of the kind; anything that he would dislike to be referred as.

If a person slanders his brother, it’s his duty to go to him apologizing and say, “forgive me may Allah reward you, I spoke evil of you…”. However, if he feels that there would be a draw back in such step it’s better not go forth telling him, instead he could Ask forgiveness of Allah and supplicate for him. Moreover, mentions his good qualities in the same places he slandered him, this would be sufficient and praise Allah for it. If he is mocking something with his tongue, then he is labeled as a mocker and if he mocks the religion then he is turned infidel even if no one witnessed that, he must repent to Allah and return to righteousness. Whoever turns back to Allah and repents Allah will forgive him.