Speak well or stay silent to find your path to paradise

Have you ever thought about life without your tongue? 

The thought would scare many people to death — how would they live without talking about others!

Let us not forget that part of Bermuda’s heritage was gossiping — and evidence of that part of our history can still be seen in King’s Square in St George’s. The ducking stool and the stocks were used to publically humilate gossipers as every attempt to eradicate such distasteful behaviour was used, but without much success!

The tongue is considered an exterior part of the body because it is in almost constant contact with the air — the exterior. 

Communication

The tongue is vital for effective communication, which can be related to the external — to get out what is within us via words. 

Allah, the Merciful, gave us a blessing when he gave us the tongue. 

Therefore, we must use our tongue in the most beneficial and beautiful of ways. 

Following is a hadith that speaks of the benefits when the tongue is used in a kind and goodly manner.

Surah Al Imran 159 It is from the Mercy of Allah that you dealt gently with them. 

Were thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee: So pass over (their faults), and ask for (Allah’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. 

Then, when you have taken a decision, put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).   

To be blessed with a beautiful tongue is divine, meaning as the Bible says in Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

In Islam, misuse of the tongue is considered a sin which could lead you to the path of Hell. 

The Messenger of Allah says: “Blessed is the man who speaks only good and is triumphant; or keeps silent in the face of evil and is secure.” 

Meaning, if we speak good, we will incur God’s mercy, however should we speak evil, we will regret it. 

Remember too, that Satan has an eloquent tongue.

My mother often told me to think before speaking as doing so without thinking can lead to embarrassment and disaster, not to mention it can hurt someone to the core of their souls. Words can hurt more than weapons. 

The tongue reveals many things about us — hence we must use it properly.

Remember the saying ‘Keep quiet and be thought a fool rather then open your mouth and be confirmed a fool.’

We have the best example of character in the life of Prophet Muhammad and he is the best of example for mankind. 

If we follow him, we can never go wrong. Ayesha the Prophet’s wife described the Prophet’s conduct as follows: “He was neither an obscene talker nor a user of bad words. 

“He did not shout nor did he repay evil with evil. He used to forgive people and overlook their sins.” (Tirmidhi) 

A beautiful saying of the Prophet that would ensure the protection of our tongue. 

The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the last day, let him either speak good or keep silent.”

Indeed this is the path to Jannah (Paradise). 

Ameen.