Friday, July 25, 2008
ABU HURAYRAH relates that Allâh's Messenger, peace be upon him, said: "Whoever believes in Allâh and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent. And whoever believes in Allâh and the Last Day should show hospitality to his neighbour. And whoever believes in Allâh and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest." (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
This is an encouragement to speak what is good and beneficial; at the same time it is a warning, cautioning us to be careful in what we say, lest we say something that is harmful or false. It is part of a Muslim's faith to speak the truth and to say things that bring about benefit to others.
Allâh says: "O you who believe! Fear Allâh and speak a word that is right. He will set right for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger has certainly attained a great achievement." (translation of the Quran surah Al-Ahzab: 70-71)
When we have nothing beneficial to say, silence is golden. Once, Mu'az bin Jabal asked the Prophet to inform him of some good work that would admit him into Paradise and distance him from the Hellfire.
The Prophet mentioned to him the virtues of many good deeds, then said: "Shall I inform you of the foundation of all of that?"
Mu'az said: "Certainly."
The Prophet took hold of his tongue and said: "Restrain yourself from this."
Mu'az then asked: "O Prophet of Allâh! Are we held to task for the things that we say?"
The Prophet replied: "May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu'az! Does anything topple people headlong into the Hellfire save the harvests of their tongues?" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi and Sunan Ibn Majah)
Our tongues are like double-edges swords. They can work for us and against us, both in this world and the Hereafter. We will be held accountable for what we say. Allâh tells us: "He does not utter a statement except that there is an observer by him ready to record it." (surah Qâf : 18)
We must be vigilant not to speak falsehood. We must think about what we are saying and the possible consequences of our words before we go ahead and speak. The Prophet said: "A man might speak a word without thinking about its implications, but because of it, he will plunge into the Hellfire further than the distance between the east and west." (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)Islam Today
This is an encouragement to speak what is good and beneficial; at the same time it is a warning, cautioning us to be careful in what we say, lest we say something that is harmful or false. It is part of a Muslim's faith to speak the truth and to say things that bring about benefit to others.
Allâh says: "O you who believe! Fear Allâh and speak a word that is right. He will set right for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger has certainly attained a great achievement." (translation of the Quran surah Al-Ahzab: 70-71)
When we have nothing beneficial to say, silence is golden. Once, Mu'az bin Jabal asked the Prophet to inform him of some good work that would admit him into Paradise and distance him from the Hellfire.
The Prophet mentioned to him the virtues of many good deeds, then said: "Shall I inform you of the foundation of all of that?"
Mu'az said: "Certainly."
The Prophet took hold of his tongue and said: "Restrain yourself from this."
Mu'az then asked: "O Prophet of Allâh! Are we held to task for the things that we say?"
The Prophet replied: "May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu'az! Does anything topple people headlong into the Hellfire save the harvests of their tongues?" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi and Sunan Ibn Majah)
Our tongues are like double-edges swords. They can work for us and against us, both in this world and the Hereafter. We will be held accountable for what we say. Allâh tells us: "He does not utter a statement except that there is an observer by him ready to record it." (surah Qâf : 18)
We must be vigilant not to speak falsehood. We must think about what we are saying and the possible consequences of our words before we go ahead and speak. The Prophet said: "A man might speak a word without thinking about its implications, but because of it, he will plunge into the Hellfire further than the distance between the east and west." (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)Islam Today