Muslims, the fear of Allah represents a protection, a gift, a light from Allah, which He has bestowed exclusively on His friends. Allah says in His Noble Book:
"Is it not true that the friends of Allah shall not fear, nor shall they grieve? Those who believed and feared Him". (Sura Yunus 10:62-63)
One of the most obvious signs that show a servant's fear of Allah, that show that he is one of the fearful, one of the friends of Allah, is that Allah gives him success and directs him towards the protection and observance of his tongue. It is a very difficult matter for a person, it requires great effort. One of the remedies to achieve this is for the human being to be aware that the tongue is the most effective weapon that the Shaytan uses to lead him astray. Therefore, observing the tongue and keeping it under control is a protection, a shield against the attacks of this clear enemy. The human being must know that death is just around the corner and that he is responsible for every word he utters.
At first, the task is difficult, but through the help of Allah and Du'a, supplication, it is achieved: We ask you, O Allah, to provide us with a tongue that remembers you well and with a heart that humbles itself (Amin.).
The righteousness of the tongue makes the other limbs righteous, as the tongue represents the fundamental organ on which the human body is supported. According to an account of Abu Said Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, he said:
The Messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings be upon him said: "When the son of Adam dawns, his limbs humbly say to his tongue: 'Fear Allah for us for we depend on you, if you stand firm, we will also be firm, but if you go astray, we will go astray with you" Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'The faith of a servant will not be steadfast so long as his heart is not upright, and his heart will not be upright so long as his tongue is not upright.'"
The tongue is the representative of the heart, its interpreter; whatever the heart conceals, the tongue reveals. The uprightness, the firmness of the tongue opens for man the gates of virtue, of good, and closes the gates of immorality.
Yahya Ibn Kathir, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "There are two qualities that only generate good things for a man: The mastery of his tongue and observing his prayers".
Allah says in His Noble Book: "O you who believe, fear Allah and speak rightly". (Surah Al-Ahzab - The Sides 33:70)
We must correct our language, speak only the word of truth and avoid uttering falsehoods, indecency, unlawful words and obscenities. The tongue is a small piece of flesh without bones, a small organ that does not require great energy, great effort like other organs, it moves easily and quickly in every way. The tongue is the most dangerous organ that Allah has created within the human body, it represents a danger when it is used in what is wrong, in what does not please Allah.
How many words have been the cause of wars, have separated families, marriages, have spread enmity. The word has a great influence, it has a power that should not be underestimated. The word is not mere sound waves or written letters, it is more important. The word represents an enormous energy, on the basis of which the human personality is formed. It is even a remedy.
Modern science will never be able to create a tranquilliser for nervous diseases that is more effective than the word than the sweet word at the right time. The proof, we have it in the Noble Qur'an, the words of Allah which are a remedy for people and with which He has favoured us. Allah exalted and exalted be He says:
"And with the Qur'an We send down a cure and a mercy for the believers, but the unjust only increase in perdition". (Sura Al-Isra' - The Night Journey 17:82)
Words have an effect on people، especially children. How many words have been said to us as children, words that have been engraved in our hearts and have grown up with us and have influenced our personality positively or negatively. The word remains, settles in the most hidden place of our brain and becomes behaviours.
The good words a person receives, generate happiness, vivacity, provide psychological health that positively affects physical health, mood, makes the chest expand and brings self-esteem.
On the contrary, according to psychological studies, bad words and harmful words cause damage to the brain, destroying many of its cells or altering its functioning. For this reason, many people who have been victims of psychological harassment through harmful words become people with a feeling of failure and even social isolation.
Allah says in His Noble Qur'an:
"Do you not see how Allah compares the good word to a good tree whose root is firm and whose branches are in the sky? It yields its fruit in every age by the permission of its Lord. Allah sets examples for men so that they may remember. But a bad word is like a bad tree that is unrooted on the earth without stability."
(Sura Ibrahim 14:24)
Muslims, the good word is Sadaqa, it is alms. The good word penetrates the hearts, strengthens the bonds, closes the doors to the Shaytan. It has been mentioned several times in the Qur'an for its effect and its importance. Allah, the Exalted and Most High, says: "A good word ascends to Him, and upright action lifts it up". (Sura Al-Fatir - The Originator 35:10)
It is a spiritual breath that unites hearts with love and harmony. With the good word, Allah sent His Messengers and Prophets to call people to the worship of Allah, the One, the Dominant.
Allah commanded Musa to go and speak to the oppressor, the tyrant Pharaoh to call him to truth, the unjust one who murdered women, slit the throats of children and enslaved peoples. Allah exalted be He said to Musa and his brother Harun:
"Go to Pharaoh, both of you, for he has overstepped his bounds, and speak to him gently, perhaps he will come to his senses and keep his head. (Surah Ta, Ha 20:43-44)
Despite the crimes, the barbarities that Pharaoh had committed, Allah commanded Musa and Harun to use soft words towards him. Allah also said to Muhammad:
"Call them to the way of your Lord by wisdom, good exhortation and by convincing them in the best way". (Sura An-Nahl - The Bee 16:125)
In this verse, Allah commands His Messenger to call the people to the Din of truth, taking as means, the Qur'an, the sweet words, the right expressions without aggressiveness, without harshness or repulsion.
This message is also addressed to every Muslim man and woman, because man has been created to worship Allah and to call people to the truth.
The good word produces joy both for the one who hears it and for the one who utters it. It emanates from the heart, is vocalised by the tongue and returns back to the heart. Allah exhorts us to choose the most beautiful terms, the sweetest conversations in our conversations with others. Allah says in the Surah of the Night Journey:
"And tell my servants, let them speak with the best words, for it is true that the Shaytan sows discord among them, indeed the Shaytan is a clear enemy of man". (Sura Al-Isra' - The Night Journey 17:53)
If Allah commands that behaviour among us, among people in general, should be based on the good word, it is obvious and paramount that marriage should also be based on the good word.
Gratitude and praise breathe new life into the marriage relationship, breathe life into it and keep the flame of love and mercy burning. Marriage is like a plant, which needs to be watered from time to time to prevent it from dying. When the husband thanks his wife for some effort or the wife praises her husband for some work he has done, the roots of love between them deepen in their hearts and their relationship is strengthened.
Prophet Muhammad SAWA was the best example, he praised his women, tried to express his love for them and made them feel important. One day, Amr Ibn Al-Aas asked the Prophet: "Whom do you love the most? The Prophet replied: "Aicha".
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Servants of Allah, if we look at the situation of the majority of the people, how they spend their time, how they spend their free time, we will be astonished at the amount of empty, meaningless conversations, full of empty words based on falsehoods, gossip, backbiting, insults, threats, mockery, lies, slander, unfounded accusations, revelations of secrets, excessive jokes, and so on. All this hardens hearts. And hard hearts are further away from Allah.
Have you not heard the words of Allah which say:
"There is nothing he says without having a watchman present at his side. (Surah Qaf 50:18)
Allah has appointed for each of us a guardian, an angel who watches over us day and night, 24 hours a day without interruption. And who writes down all our deeds without leaving a single detail.
Allah says: "Everything small or large is registered. (Sura Al-Qammar - The Moon 54:53)
It also states: "On the day when their tongues, hands and feet will bear witness against them of what they have done". (Sura An-Nur - Of Light 24:24)
For this reason, the Muslim must analyse his words before uttering them, he must reflect on the possible consequences they may have. If he sees good in them, he says them. Otherwise, silence is preferable.
Reflection must come before pronunciation, the tongue must anticipate the thoughts. The Arabs say: "The tongue of the person endowed with intellect, of the intelligent person, is always behind his heart, when he decides to speak, he reflects beforehand, when he sees that his words will benefit him, he speaks, otherwise he keeps silent. While the heart of the ignorant person is behind his tongue, when he decides to speak, he speaks without prior reflection".
The word when it comes out of the mouth, does not return. It is a word that can be for you or against you. Allah does not judge His slaves by their thoughts as long as they do not manifest them. According to a narration of Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him said: "The Messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings be upon him said: 'Allah does not take into consideration what the Nafs whisper to the people of my Ummah, my community, as long as it is not converted into deeds or words.
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, would grab his tongue, pull it out and say: "This is the culprit of my doom". These are the words of one of the people dearest to the Messenger of Allah, the most fearful companion, his Khalifa, one of the ten whom the Prophet announced in his lifetime to be among the people of the Garden. What shall we say?
Language is a favour from Allah, a great favour to his servants in order to be a means of expression and communication between them.
Allah says in His Noble Qur'an: "Have we not given him two eyes, a tongue and two lips? And have we not pointed out to him the two ways?" (Surah Al-Balad - The Territory 90:8-10)
This favour demonstrates the power, wisdom and awesomeness of Allah's creation. Allah has distinguished mankind from the rest of His creation with this boon. The Bayan, the ability to express oneself through language, to be able to distinguish things and explain them, to be able to express one's feelings, one's intentions, one's reactions, one's desires and goals.
Allah says: "The merciful has taught the Qur'an, has created man, has taught him to speak". (Surah Ar-Rahman - The Merciful 55:1-2)
Many scientists cannot find an explanation for this miracle, they ask themselves: "Why is man the only living being capable of expressing himself? The answer is found in the Qur'an, Allah says:
"It is true that We have honoured the children of Adam, We have carried them on the land and on the sea, We have given them things, such as provision, and We have favoured them with great preference over many of the creatures".
(Sura Al-Isra' - The Night Journey 17:70)
Any divine favour, as we said in a previous khutba, requires gratitude to Allah. This gratitude is demonstrated by making good use of language, in using appropriate expressions that do not cause harm to others, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
Thus avoiding enmity. Allah says: "Speak to people in a good way". (Surah Al-Baqara - The Cow 2:83)
The tongue should be employed in enjoining what is recognised and forbidding what is reprehensible, spreading peace among people, establishing justice, reciting Qur'an, asking forgiveness from Allah - which is really what we need most - making Dikr, Tasbih, Tahlil, Tahmid. According to an account of Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: "There are two phrases beloved to Allah which are most beloved to the merciful, light to the tongue and heavy to the scales:"Praise be to Allah in His glory, Praise be to Allah the Great" (Subhana'llahi wa bihamdihi, subhana'llahi adhiim). (Hadith)
Brother Muslim, beware of your tongue, it is a viper with poison that can annihilate you. Do not be of those who have a perverse, long tongue. Know that the tongue builds and destroys. Strive to make your mouth a fountain from which comes a pleasant perfume, from which only good words come forth. "Allah is good and accepts only what is good". (Hadith)
Treat people with good character, good words and a sincere smile. Allah has made man to have one tongue, two eyes and two ears to observe more, listen more and speak less. Measure your words before you utter them. Do not be parla chin, of those who speak excessively. The Prophet said: "Surely the most abhorred by me and the furthest from me on the day of judgment are the talkers, the boastful when they speak, as well as those who pretend when they speak.
The sincere believer is one who is constantly attentive with his tongue, one whose deeds are more than his words. The believer should speak words that benefit him, his family and community. Those who speak excessively may repent for their words but those who keep silent at times when it is required, and only open their mouths to express something good, it is difficult for them to repent.
Do not forget that all your words are recorded in a book that you yourself will read after death, your own book. The Prophet said: "Most of the faults of the sons of Adam come from their tongue".
And prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of God.
