Every day, words flow from our tongues without a second thought.
Some bring peace, others ignite conflicts.
Some draw us closer to Allah, others distance us from Him.
What we utter can be a means to attain Jannah, or it can be the very thing that throws us into Jahannam. The tongue, though small, holds immense power over our actions, relationships, and fate in the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ warned us about the consequences of our words, saying:
"A man may utter a word thoughtlessly that displeases Allah, and because of it, he will be thrown into the Hellfire deeper than the distance between the east and the west." (Narrated by Muslim: 2988)
Islam gives the tongue a high status, emphasizing its rights and responsibilities. It is not just a tool for communication—it is a test, a weapon, a key to goodness, and a potential cause of destruction.
In this article, we will explore the rights of the tongue, the dangers of careless speech, and how to safeguard it to ensure our words bring us closer to Allah rather than away from Him.
The Reality of the Tongue in Islam
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ described the tongue’s significance in an eye-opening hadith:
"When a person wakes up in the morning, all his body parts humble themselves before the tongue and say: ‘Fear Allah regarding us! If you are upright, we will be upright, and if you are corrupt, we will be corrupt.’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi: 2407; authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami’)
This hadith makes it clear—the tongue is a leader, and the rest of the body follows it. If the tongue is righteous, the limbs will act righteously. If it is corrupt, the entire body falls into misguidance.
A Tongue That Leads to Destruction
Many major sins stem from speech—lying, backbiting, gossip, slander, false accusations, and even disbelief. The Qur’an warns us:
"Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him, ready to record." (Surah Qaf 50:18)
Even words we do not pay attention to are being recorded. A single statement can destroy a person’s reputation, lead to broken relationships, or even cause wars.
The Prophet ﷺ taught:
"A person may speak a word without thinking about its implications, and because of it, he will be thrown into Hellfire." (Narrated by al-Bukhari: 2819)
A poet once said:
"Guard your tongue, O son of Adam, do not let it bite you, for it is a serpent. How many are buried in graves due to their tongues—people even the brave feared to confront." (Diwaan Al-Shafi’:116)
The tongue is like a double-edged sword—it can either elevate a person or ruin them.
The Rights of the Tongue
To protect ourselves from harm, Islam has outlined two key rights of the tongue that every Muslim must uphold.
1. Guarding the Tongue from Evil
The first and foremost right of the tongue is to protect it from falsehood, harm, and sin. Allah describes the regrets of those in Hellfire, saying:
"They will say: 'We were not of those who prayed, nor did we feed the poor. And we used to indulge in falsehood along with those who engaged in it.'" (Surah Al-Muddathir 74: 43-45)
Many people will enter Hellfire not because of major physical crimes but because of the harm caused by their words.
The Prophet ﷺ was once told about a woman who used to pray and fast abundantly but would harm people with her tongue. He responded:
"She is in the Hellfire." (Musnad Ahmad:9675, authenticated by al-Albani)
A person can do numerous good deeds, yet their tongue may undo them all.
What Should We Avoid?
- Backbiting – Speaking about someone behind their back in a way they dislike.
- Gossip – Spreading information that causes conflict.
- Lying – A habit that leads to greater sins.
- Mockery – Making fun of others, which Allah warns against in Surah al-Hujurat.
2. Using the Tongue for Good
Just as the tongue can lead to destruction, it can also be a source of immense reward.
Allah says:
"There is no good in most of their private conversations, except for those who enjoin charity, kindness, or reconciliation between people."(Surah An-Nisa 4:114)
The Prophet ﷺ was asked about salvation and he said:
"Restrain your tongue, let your house be enough for you."(Narrated by at-Tirmidhi: 2406, authenticated by al-Albani)
How to Use the Tongue for Good
- Reciting the Qur’an – "Recite the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor for its companions on the Day of Judgment." (Muslim:804)
- Making Dhikr – "Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah." (Tirmidhi:3375)
- Encouraging Good – "Whoever guides to good will have a reward equal to the one who does it." (Muslim:1893)
- Speaking Kindly – "A good word is charity." (Bukhari:2891)
Even saying ‘SubhanAllah’ or ‘Alhamdulillah’ can tip the scales in our favor on the Day of Judgment.
Conclusion: Silence is Golden
The Prophet ﷺ summarized it beautifully:
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should say good or remain silent." (Narrated by al-Bukhari: 6018)
Every word we speak is either bringing us closer to Jannah or pushing us toward Jahannam. The tongue can be a means of destruction or a source of immense reward. The choice is ours.
May Allah grant us the wisdom to control our tongues, speak words of truth, and avoid harmful speech.
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