Guarding the Tongue: Understanding the Power of Words in Islam

10 Ways We Misuse Our Tongues: A Guide to Speaking Wisely in Islam

Words are powerful, and can do great good; we can keep ourselves in a constant state of worship by engaging in Dhikr, reciting the Qur’ān or supplicating. We can do good for others by encouraging them, imparting knowledge, talking about Islām or even saying kind words as ALLĀH teaches us to “...speak kindly to the people.” {Al-Baqarah || Verse 83}

If we do not have anything good or beneficial to say, then it is best that we keep silent, in order to avoid greater harm that we may not even be aware of. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:  “Whoever believes in ALLĀH and the last day should speak good or keep silent.”  {Al-Bukhārī #6136}

This is because our words can bring about great evils. The Prophet (ﷺ) tells us that, “Most of the sins of the children of Adam are on their tongues.” {At-Tabarāni #10446}

If we kept this in mind, would we say half the things that we normally do? There are countless ahadīth that speak about the dangers of the tongue, which emphasizes the fact that we should pay attention to what we say and be careful with the way we speak.

The seriousness of this matter is further shown by the following hadith: “The son of Adam wakes up and the whole body makes takfeer (i.e. warns of error) upon his tongue saying, ‘Fear ALLĀH concerning us for indeed we are upon you so if you are upright then we will be upright and if you are corrupt then we will be corrupt.” {At-Tirmidhi #2407}

What does this hadith tell us? That the whole body depends on how upright our tongues are- if we are uttering foul things and become used to it, it is only natural that our bodies will follow in the same path; for every little sin leads to a greater one if we do not desist and ask for forgiveness.

One of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), Mu’adh ibn Jabal (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) was asking about an act that would enter him into Paradise, and remove him from the Hell-fire. The Prophet (ﷺ) proceeded to tell him many great and noble things, and at the end he said: “Should I not inform you of the sheet anchor of all this?" I said: “ALLĀH’s Apostle (of course do it)” He (ﷺ) pointed to his tongue and said: “Exercise restraint on it” I said: “Apostle of ALLĀH, would we be held responsible for what we say with it?” Thereupon he (ﷺ) said: “O Mu’adh, may your mother be bereaved! Will anything else besides (irresponsible) talk cause the people to be thrown into Hell-Fire upon their faces or on their nostrils?”  {At-Tirmidhi #2616}

Knowing the punishment for irresponsible talk, what has the Prophet (ﷺ) said about those who guard against it? “Whoever guarantees me (the chastity of) what is between his legs (i.e. his private parts), and what is between his jaws (i.e., his tongue), I guarantee him Paradise.” {Al-Bukhari #6109}

And what a magnanimous reward- can any one of us imagine the Prophet ﷺ, telling us on Judgement Day, “Here is the Paradise that I have guaranteed for you”? If only we would exercise a little control over the things we say. Above all, we should remember that ALLĀH (ﷺ) says, “Not a word does he utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” {Qāf: Verse 18}

Keeping these ahadīth and ALLĀH’s words in mind, what are the sins of the tongue? There are 10 main ones. 

We ask ALLĀH to aid us and you in doing that which brings about HIS utmost Pleasure.