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.
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]
‹‹إذا أصبح ابن آدم فإن الأعضاء كلها تكفر اللسان فتقول: اتق الله فينا ، فإنما نحن بك ، فإن استقمت استقمنا ، وإن اعوججت اعوججنا››
رواه الترمذي وحسنه الألباني
Concern of Islam with the Manner of speech
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.
Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud said: “In the name of Allah the only God, nothing is most deserving of imprisonment than a tongue.”
Ibn Abbas May Allah be pleased with him said: “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.
Hazards of the Tongue
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]
‹‹إن العبد ليتكلم بالكلمة من رضوان الله ، لا يلقي لها بالا ، يرفع الله بها درجات ، وإن العبد ليتكلم بالكلمة من سخط الله ، لا يلقي لها بالا ، يهوي بها في جهنم››
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]
{مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ}
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]
‹‹قال: فأخذ بلسانه ، قال: كف عليك هذا. فقلت : يا نبي الله وإنا لمؤاخذون بما نتكلم به ؟ فقال : ثكلتك أمك يا معاذ ، وهل يكب الناس في النار على وجوههم ، أو على مناخرهم ، إلا حصائد ألسنتهم››
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.” [Reported by Malik]
Ibn Burayda said, “ 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.”” Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud said: “In the name of Allah the only God, nothing is most deserving of long time imprisonment than a tongue.”
Words are your Captives
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]
{مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ}
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.
From the Lesions of the Tongue
Lesion 1
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”
Lesion 2
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.”
Lesion 3
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]
{ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ}
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.
Lesion 4
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.”…
‹‹ أما الذي رايته يشق شدقه فكذاب ، يحدث بالكذبة ، فتحمل عنه حتى تبلغ الآفاق ، فيصنع به إلى يوم القيامة››
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]
‹‹وإياكم والكذب. فإن الكذب يهدي إلى الفجور . وإن الفجور يهدي إلى النار . وما يزال الرجل يكذب ويتحرى الكذب حتى يكتب عند الله كذابا››
رواه مسلم
Lesion 5
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]
{وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاء فَاجْلِدُوهُمْ ثَمَانِينَ جَلْدَةً وَلَا تَقْبَلُوا لَهُمْ شَهَادَةً أَبَداً وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ}
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.
Lesion 6
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]
{وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَاماً}
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]
{وَلاَ تَكْتُمُواْ الشَّهَادَةَ وَمَن يَكْتُمْهَا فَإِنَّهُ آثِمٌ قَلْبُهُ وَاللّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ}
البقرة : 283
Transliteration: wala taktumoo alshshahadata waman yaktumha fainnahu athimun qalbuhu waAllahu bima taAAmaloona AAaleemun
Lesion 7
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]
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَومٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَى أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْراً مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَاء مِّن نِّسَاء عَسَى أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْراً مِّنْهُنَّ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا بِالْأَلْقَابِ بِئْسَ الاِسْمُ الْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ الْإِيمَانِ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ}
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
Lesion 8
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]
‹‹من حلف بغير الله فقد أشرك››
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]
‹‹من كان حالفا فليحلف بالله أو ليصمت››
صححه الألباني
Lesion 9
Falsehood and holding the truth
Ibn Qayim may Allah have mercy on him said, “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.”
Lesion 10
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”]
‹‹لا يكون اللعانون شفعاء ولا شهداء، فى يوم القيامة››
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]
‹‹إن العبد إذا لعن شيئا صعدت اللعنة إلى السماء فتغلق أبواب السماء دونها ، ثم تهبط إلى الأرض فتغلق أبوابها دونها ، ثم تأخذ يمينا وشمالا فإذا لم تجد مساغا رجعت إلى الذي لعن ، فإن كان لذلك أهلا وإلا رجعت إلى قائلها››
رواه ابو داود وحسنه الألباني
Jokes
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).
‹‹ويل للذي يحدث بالحديث ليضحك به القوم فيكذب ويل له ويل له››
رواه الترمذى وحسنه الألباني
Accustom yourself to pleasant speech
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]
{وَقُل لِّعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا}
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]
{وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ}
فصلت: 34
Transliteration: Wala tastawee alhasanatu wala alssayyiatu idfaAA biallatee hiya ahsanu faitha allathee baynaka wabaynahu AAadawatun kaannahu waliyyun hameemun
Beware of staining the Scholars with mischief
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.
Lastly
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]
‹‹من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليقل خيراً أو ليصمت››
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.
A Moment with the kind Sheikh
The kind sheikh Ibn Baz May Allah have mercy on him said: 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]
‹‹الغيبة ذكرك أخاك بما يكره››
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.
Translated by Wathakker.info website
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