Words are more crucial than we think; it is one of the special traits that actually differentiate us as human beings from other creatures. In philosophy, ‘the human is a rational, talking creature’. As special as the mind is to us, speech is our exceptional blessing, too.
With each blessing comes accountability; as we are blessed by the ability to speak, then we have a great responsibility for making the best of its good, and avoiding its evil. Words can either elevate us in this life and the hereafter, or bring us doom in both. That’s why Islam highlights the critical significance of our words due to their considerable weight on our scales. Let’s have a close look at the due weight of words in Islam, and how good words are part and parcel of the true Muslim:
Good Speech Is a Blessing from The Lord:
In a world full of disdainful speeches, backtalks, and verbal abuse, we can say that there are only a few who are really blessed with their gentle speech. In fact, having the ability to speak nicely and well to others is such an underrated blessing. Allah praises those controlling their tongues, speaking only good, that they are ‘His true servants’:
[And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace] [Al-Furqan: 63]
[And they had been guided [in worldly life] to good speech, and they were guided to the path of the Praiseworthy.] [Al-Hajj: 24].
Speaking Good Is among the Acts of Obedience:
We are commanded by Allah to speak good, as we are commanded to worship Allah alone, perform Salah, pay Zakat, etc. So, it is not just a matter of extra courtesy and decency, it is a rather act of obedience:
[…“Do not worship except Allāh; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakāh…] [Al-Baqarah: 83].
Speech Is an Act of Disobedience:
As speaking well is an act of obedience, speaking ill of others is a serious act of disobedience; so, backbiting, gossip, calling names, abusive talk, etc., etc are all hateful acts that clearly contradict the Islamic faith:
[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 [i.e., mention] of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.] [Al-Hujurat: 11].
Abusive Talk Is Not Fitting for True Muslims:
Muslims should be associated with their faithful adherence to discipline, courtesy, and good speech; abuse, with all its forms, whether verbal and non-verbal, should never be a part of the Muslim’s character:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “A true believer does not taunt or curse or abuse or talk indecently.”
“The Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe…”
Each Single Word Is Recorded:
Unfortunately, we don’t care much about what we say whenever we say. We just utter words in too many situations to consider. We think it is not that important, but it is; Allah, the Almighty, assigns certain angels particularly for that crucial mission, and they spare not a single word!
[As the two recording-angels—˹one˺ sitting to the right, and ˹the other to˺ the left—not a word does a person utter without having a ˹vigilant˺ observer ready ˹to write it down˺.] [Qaf: 18].
On the Top of the Limbs Is the Tongue:
Tongue is the limb of speech; like all the other limbs, tongue can lead one to Allah’s pleasure and reward, by uttering the truth and the good, and can also lead to Allah’s displeasure and punishment by uttering falsehood and spreading evil talk. Yet, the tongue is on top of all the other limbs:
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “When the son of Adam gets up in the morning, all the limbs humble themselves before the tongue and say: ‘Fear Allah for our sake, because we follow you; if you are straight, we will be straight; and if you are crooked, we will become crooked.
[At- Tirmidhi].
A Word Can Be a Way to Paradise or Hellfire:
We should pay great attention to our words as they result in critical consequences. Our words pave our way whether to Paradise or to the Hellfire, and the Messenger (PBUH) warned us about that:
“A servant (of Allah) may utter a word which pleases Allah without giving it much importance, and because of that Allah will raise him to degrees (of reward): a servant (of Allah) may utter a word (carelessly) which displeases Allah without thinking of its gravity and because of that he will be thrown into the Hell-Fire.” (Sahih)
A Good Word Is as Rewarding as Charity:
Sadaqa (Charity) doesn’t necessarily require money to give; speaking well to others is a great, rewarding way of Sadaqa. Kind words spread good vibes and comfortable feelings all around:
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “It is also charity to utter a good word.”
A Good Word Is Like a Fruitful Tree:
Allah, the Almighty, gives us a beautiful example in the Qur’an so we can visualize how effective and fruitful a simple good word can be:
[Have you not considered how Allāh presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky?!˹always˺ yielding its fruit in every season by the Will of its Lord…] [Ibrahim: 24-25].
Calling for Allah with Gentle Speech:
Gentle speech is essential when it comes to calling for Allah and His path, even with the toughest people. Speaking gently touches our hearts deep inside and reminds us of our good nature. That’s why it was Allah’s command to Prophet Musa and Harun:
[And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allāh].] [Taha: 41].
Our Accountability for Whatever Comes Out of Our Mouths:
Mu’adh Ibn Jabbal was with the Prophet (PBUH) and seized that opportunity to ask him (PBUH) about what deeds to enter Paradise, and be far from the Hellfire. He (PBUH) told him about the major acts of worship and good deeds that bring Allah’s pleasure and Paradise. Then, He (PBUH) said:
“Shall I not tell you of the foundation of all of that?” Mu’adh said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” So he (PBUH) took hold of his tongue and said, “Restrain this.”
Mu’adh said, “O Prophet of Allah, will we be taken to account for what we say with it?” He (PBUH) said, “May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu’adh! Is there anything that throws people into the Hellfire upon their faces — or: on their noses — except the harvests of their tongues?!”
Conclusion:
Realizing how critical our words are, we should pay great attention before uttering them. Finally, we invoke Allah as His Messenger (PBUH) used to:
“O Allah, I ask You for steadfastness in all my affairs and determination in following the right path; I ask You to make me thankful for Your blessings and to make me worship You properly. I ask You for a sound heart and a truthful tongue. I ask You for the best of what You know, and I seek refuge in You from the worst of what You know, and I seek Your forgiveness for what You know.”
