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The Qur'an states: "Speak words of appropriate justice."(33:70)
The tongue is one of the greatest blessings bestowed upon mankind - a small organ with immense impact. Through it, we express gratitude or ingratitude, truth or falsehood, peace or chaos. Our words can heal hearts or break relationships, build faith or spread disbelief. Islam, therefore, places immense emphasis on guarding one's speech as a reflection of inner purity.
Even when Allah sent Prophet Musa عليه السلام to confront Pharaoh, the most arrogant tyrant of his time, He instructed him and his brother Haroon عليه السلام: "Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has indeed transgressed. So, speak to him in soft words. May be, he takes to the advice or fears (Allah)." (20:43-44)
Musa عليه السلام was known to have a speech impediment and was addressing the greatest oppressor of his age. Yet Allah commanded him to speak with leniency and wisdom. This teaches us that the power of da'wah and communication lies not in harshness or eloquence, but in sincerity and gentleness of speech.
The Qur'an further reinforces this principle of graceful communication: "Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury." (2:263) This verse reminds us that even an act of generosity loses its reward if hurtful words accompany it. A kind word, spoken sincerely, outweighs a harsh one that wounds hearts, no matter how noble the intention behind it.
When charity is given, the tongue should be used to offer kind words instead of reminders, provide forgiveness rather than reproach, and maintain the dignity of the recipient. Thus, the tongue becomes the test of whether charity is truly for Allah's sake or for worldly recognition.
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said: "He who keeps silent saves himself." (Tirmidhi). This profound advice reveals that silence, when used wisely, can be a means of salvation, as is reflected in another statement of the Prophet ﷺ: "Saying what is good is better than silence and silence is better than saying what is bad" (Baihaqi).
Imam al-Ghazali observed that most moral vices stem from the misuse of the tongue - lying, backbiting, slandering, arguing, gossiping, discussing vice, spreading rumours, and hypocrisy. A single careless word can destroy reputations, relationships, and even faith. This is evident from the verse of the Qur'an where Allah says: "Surely Allah does not guide anyone who is a liar, highly infidel." (39:3)
The Prophet ﷺ also warned: "It is enough of a lie for a person that he relates everything he hears." (Muslim). Thus, forwarding or repeating information without verification is a sin that can have grave worldly and spiritual consequences.
How many marriages are nullified because of a word - a Talaq uttered in haste! How many families and friendships are broken because of words said without thought! Indeed, the social fabric of a community is often torn apart not by actions, but by reckless speech.
The Prophet ﷺ further cautioned against unjust speech: "If a man says to his brother, 'O disbeliever,' then it returns upon one of them." (Bukhari, Muslim). This hadith shows the enormity of reckless words - even when said without intention, they may return to condemn the speaker.
Abdullah ibn Masud رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ said: "By Allah, besides whom there is no God, nothing on earth is in greater need of a lengthy prison than the tongue. (Mu'jam al Kabir)
The Prophet ﷺ advised Uqbah ibn Amir رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ : "Control your tongue, let your home contain you, and weep over your sins." (Ahmad). This beautiful hadith encapsulates the foundation of spiritual safety - controlling speech, self-contentment, and repentance.
"A man once came to the Prophet ﷺ requesting him for some brief advice. The Messenger ﷺ advised: "Perform prayer as though you are about to leave this world, and do not utter anything for which you will later need to apologise and have firm conviction not to entertain the slightest hope for the possession of others". (Ahmad). What beautiful advice. How often have we spoken a word or two in haste, only to regret later? If only we had acted upon this advice of the Prophet ﷺ, such a situation would have never arisen.
Imam al-Zamakhshari (رحمه الله), the author of Tafseer al-Kashshāf, begins his commentary with a heartfelt reflection born of personal experience. It is said that he once uttered a word of self-praise in a scholarly gathering and was gently admonished by a righteous man. This incident humbled him so deeply that he later wrote in his preface: "A slip of the tongue is more serious than a slip of the foot; for the foot's stumble may be mended, but the tongue's slip may destroy a person." He placed this statement at the opening of his tafseer as a reminder that when speaking - especially about the Qur'an - one must do so with humility, sincerity, and the fear of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever guarantees me what is between his jaws and what is between his legs, I will guarantee him Paradise." (Bukhari). Thus, controlling speech is directly linked to eternal success.
Allah further reminds us: "Not a single word is uttered by one, but there is a watcher ready (to record)." (50:18). In addition to this, the covenant taken from Bani Israel, as mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, also emphasised the duty of speaking truthfully and uprightly, as Allah says: "And say to the people what is good." (2:83).
These verses of the Qur'an and the sayings of our Prophet ﷺ make it clear that irrespective of the audience, whether they are upright or evil, pious or impious, orthodox or aberrant, followers of Sunnah or adherents to partitive innovations, we have to adopt a gentle tone and an open heart when speaking to others. Speech, therefore, is a trust from Allah - to be guarded with care.
Where Do Hearts Find Rest… If Not in Allah?
