Guarding the Tongue

by Darussalam

‘Restrain your tongue, remain in

your home and weep over your sins.’”

“Not a word does one utter, except that there is an (angel) watching, ready to record it.” [Qaaf (50): 18]

Know that every individual who falls under the category of being responsible for his actions (Mukallaf) must guard his tongue from all types of speech, except for that speech which consists predominantly of some benefit.

situation that speaking and refraining from speech are both found to contain the same amount of benefit within them, then the Sunnah is to refrain from it, altogether.

So if one has doubt as to whether or not his speech consists of benefit, then he should not speak.

“When one desires to talk, then it is upon him to think before he speaks. If there is beneficial good in what he will say, then he should speak. And if he has doubt about that, then he must not speak until he clears that doubt (by making his speech good).”

“When the Son of Aadam wakes from his sleep, all of his body parts seek refuge from his tongue, saying: ‘Fear Allah with regard to us, for indeed we are part of you. So if you are upright,

then we will be upright and if you are corrupt, then we shall be corrupt.”

“Indeed, the servant will speak words that are pleasing to Allah, due to which he will be given a condition in which Allah will raise him many levels. And indeed, the servant will speak words that are displeasing to Allah, due to which he will not be given a good condition, but (instead) be thrown into the Hellfire.”

Guarding the tongue is a sign of steadfastness and an indication of the best of the Muslims

“Whoever limits his speech to be in accordance with his actions, will minimize his speech on that which doesn’t concern him.”

Do not speak about things that do

concern you, for indeed every time that you speak a word, it takes control of you and you do not have control of it!”

“The example of the tongue is like that of a savage beast. If you do not lock it up, it will set out against you.”

“Remaining silent is salvation and that is a fundamental principle. And staying quiet at the proper time is a characteristic of manhood, just as speaking when it is proper to speak is from the most honourable of matters.”

‘Whoever remains silent concerning the truth, then he is a silent devil.’”

“As for the preference of those who strive in good to remain silent, then that is because of what they know of the bad consequences that result from talking and from the soul’s being pleased with that. It is also because of the praiseworthy attributes that will show (by doing this) and because it will incline him towards distinguishing between its types – whether good speech or its opposite. This is the characteristic of those endowed with religious devotion. And this is one of their pillars with regard to educating the people.”

Backbiting (Gheebah), then it is when you mention something about a person (in his absence), that he hates (to have mentioned), whether it is about his body, his religious characteristics, his worldly affairs, his self, his physical appearance, his character, his wealth, his child, his father, his wife, his servant, his slave, his turban, his attire, his manner of walking, his smile, his dissoluteness, his frowning, his cheerfulness or anything else related to the above.

As for Gossiping (Nameemah), then it is when one conveys and carries the talk of people from one group of individuals to another with the intent of causing discord between the two of them.

“Verily, one of the worst forms of Ribaa (interest) is being condescending with regard to a Muslim’s honour, without due right.”

Taqwaa (fear and obedience to Allah) is right here (pointing to his chest). It is enough evil for a person to look down upon his fellow Muslim.”

“Beware of suspicion, for indeed suspicion is the most untruthful form of speech.”

When the heart has firm conviction and holds bad thoughts about someone. But as for the notions that occasionally display in one’s mind or when one talks to himself, then as long as these thoughts do not remain established and continuous in him, it is excused according to the consensus of the scholars.

Whenever some evil thoughts about another Muslim come into your mind, then let that make you increase in your showing concern and being kind to him because this will enrage the Devil and repel him from you.

And whenever you come to know of a defect or a mistake in another Muslim based on some proofs, which cannot be denied, then advise him in privacy and do not let the Devil deceive you such that he invites you and leads you towards backbiting him.

Spreading what is supposed to be private, and destroying the concealment of what he hates to have exposed.

A person must keep quiet with regard to anything he sees (or hears)

from the conditions of people, except for that which if he relates will have a benefit for a Muslim or it wil...

What has been related to you (about someone) should not cause you to spy or investigate further into the matter, because Allah (SWT) says: “And do not spy on one another.” [Al-Hujuraat (49): 12]

Backbiting is only when one mentions a specified individual or a specific group of people (i.e. by name).

Know that it is upon the one who hears a Muslim being backbitten to oppose it and prevent the one doing the backbiting. If he is not able to prevent him with his speech, then he should stop him with his hand. If he is neither able to do so with his hand or with his tongue, then he should get up and leave that gathering.

if the person (being backbitten) is from the people of righteousness and nobility, then his concern with what we have mentioned above should be greater.