FRIDAY SERMON: Proper Use of Tongue
The tongue is a small organ with immense consequences. It can elevate a person to Paradise or drag him toward destruction. True wisdom lies in mastering one’s tongue before it masters one’s destiny.
Mohammad younis Bhat (Zahid)
The Tongue as a Blessing and a Test
Allah Almighty has blessed human beings with countless favors, among which the tongue holds a unique position. It is both a great blessing and a severe test. Through the tongue, one proclaims the testimony of faith, recites the Qur’an, remembers Allah, supplicates, advises, and reconciles people. At the same time, the same tongue becomes a means of lies, backbiting, slander, humiliation, hatred, and social chaos.
It is a profound reality that the tongue has no bone, yet its wounds are deeper than those inflicted by swords. Physical wounds heal with time, but wounds caused by the tongue often remain for a lifetime. This is why Islam places extraordinary emphasis on guarding the tongue.
The Legal and Moral Status of the Tongue in Islam
Allah the Exalted says:
مَا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ
(Qur’an, Surah Q: 18)
Translation: Not a word does a person utter except that there is an observer ready to record it.
This verse establishes a foundational principle of Islam: complete accountability of speech. Islam does not consider words to be light or insignificant. Every statement, joke, comment, or remark—whether spoken openly or whispered privately—falls under divine surveillance.
From a moral perspective, the tongue represents a person’s inner self. A disciplined tongue reflects wisdom, maturity, and fear of Allah, whereas an uncontrolled tongue reflects carelessness and weak moral restraint. Legally, many major sins—such as slander, false testimony, mockery, and incitement—are committed primarily through speech. Thus, the tongue becomes a decisive factor in one’s accountability before Allah.
Islam therefore teaches believers to weigh their words before uttering them, just as they would weigh actions. Silence, when speech brings harm, is considered an act of wisdom and piety.
The Relationship Between the Tongue and Faith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لَا يَسْتَقِيمُ إِيمَانُ عَبْدٍ حَتَّى يَسْتَقِيمَ قَلْبُهُ، وَلَا يَسْتَقِيمَ قَلْبُهُ حَتَّى تَسْتَقِيمَ لِسَانُهُ
(Musnad Ahmad)
This hadith establishes a clear spiritual chain: faith → heart → tongue. Faith is not merely a claim of belief but a living reality reflected in conduct. When the heart is filled with sincerity, humility, and God-consciousness, its first manifestation appears on the tongue.
A person who frequently lies, insults, or spreads negativity cannot claim inner purity, regardless of outward religiosity. Islam rejects the idea of separating inner belief from outward behavior. True faith demands consistency between belief, intention, and speech.
Therefore, reforming the tongue is not an optional moral exercise; it is a necessary step toward strengthening one’s iman and spiritual integrity.
Merits of the Proper Use of the Tongue
Allah says:
أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
(Qur’an, Surah Ar-Ra‘d: 28)
The tongue that remains engaged in the remembrance of Allah becomes a source of peace not only for the speaker but also for those around him. Words rooted in remembrance, gratitude, and humility soften hearts and spread positivity.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
الْكَلِمَةُ الطَّيِّبَةُ صَدَقَةٌ
(Sahih Bukhari)
Islam teaches that constructive speech—encouragement, reassurance, guidance, and truth spoken gently—is a form of charity. Such speech builds trust, strengthens relationships, and nurtures moral consciousness in society.
Reconciliation and Gentle Speech
Allah Almighty says:
لَا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِّن نَّجْوَاهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَاحٍ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ
(Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa: 114)
Allah further commands:
فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا
(Qur’an, Surah Ta-Ha: 44)
This instruction was given regarding Pharaoh, the worst tyrant, indicating that gentleness is even more essential when dealing with ordinary people.
The Greatest Misuse of the Tongue — Backbiting
Allah says:
وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ
(Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujurat: 12)
This powerful imagery forces the believer to visualize the moral ugliness of backbiting. Just as eating the flesh of one’s dead brother is horrifying and repulsive, speaking about someone’s faults in their absence is spiritually disgusting.
Backbiting deadens empathy, erodes brotherhood, and normalizes moral cruelty. It is often justified as “truth,” yet Islam teaches that truth spoken with harmful intent remains sinful. The verse serves as a moral mirror, compelling believers to examine their own conversations.
Tale-Bearing (Gossip)
A Detailed View of Social Corruption
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ نَمَّامٌ
(Sahih Muslim)
Tale-bearing differs from backbiting in that its primary intention is to ignite conflict. The tale-bearer selectively transfers words between people to provoke anger, mistrust, and division.
Such behavior destroys families, friendships, and communities. Even when the information shared is true, the sinful intention behind spreading it makes the act blameworthy. Islam prioritizes harmony over sensationalism and condemns speech that fuels discord.
Slander, False Accusation, and Character Assassination
Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ … لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
(Qur’an, Surah An-Nur: 23)
Slander, False Accusation, and Character assassination are among the gravest crimes of the tongue. These sins combine lying, injustice, and violation of human dignity.
False accusations not only harm individuals but also shatter families, ruin reputations, and create lifelong trauma. Islam treats honor as sacred; violating it through speech is comparable to physical aggression. Repentance for such sins requires sincere remorse and, wherever possible, restoring the honor of the wronged person.
Humiliation, Mockery, and Disrespect
Allah says:
لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ
(Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujurat: 11)
Humiliating others is an insult to the dignity granted by Allah to every human being.
The Vigilance of the Pious Predecessors (Aslaf)
‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) said: “Whoever speaks excessively commits excessive mistakes.”
Hasan al-Basri (رحمه الله) said: “The tongue is the mirror of the heart.”
Imam al-Shafi‘i (رحمه الله) said: “If silence brings dignity, then speaking should bring safety.”
The Tongue in the Modern Era — Social Media
In today’s world, written words carry the same ruling as spoken words. Messages, posts, and comments on social media are all recorded and accountable. A single careless statement can destroy reputations and relationships permanently.
Practical Guidelines, Repentance, and a Direct Message to the Reader
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ يَضْمَنْ لِي مَا بَيْنَ لَحْيَيْهِ أَضْمَنْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةَ
(Sahih Bukhari)
Practical Guidelines:
- Pause before speaking and examine intention
- Prefer silence when speech brings harm
- Use words to heal, not to wound
- Avoid discussions that dishonor others
- Hold daily self-accountability before sleep
Message to the Reader:
Dear reader, reflect honestly on your daily speech. Ask yourself how many hearts your words comfort and how many they wound. Remember that every sentence shapes your character and your hereafter. Reforming the tongue is not merely about avoiding sin—it is about building a society rooted in mercy, dignity, and trust.
Conclusion:
The tongue is a small organ with immense consequences. It can elevate a person to Paradise or drag him toward destruction. True wisdom lies in mastering one’s tongue before it masters one’s destiny.
Supplication:
O Allah, grant us wisdom in speech, sincerity in intention, and restraint over our tongues. Make our words a means of guidance, not misguidance. Ameen.
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