38: The Effect Of Words
[Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]
As human beings who are social beings we communicate most commonly by speaking. Islam, as a comprehensive way of life that addresses and guides every dimension of human activity, certainly provides meticulous guidelines for social interaction and more specifically for verbal communication.
Islamic teachings demand that when you speak we should ...
- Think before speaking - Wise are the words of the one who said ...
"Think before speaking so that you safeguard yourself from problems."
It is important to engage one's brain before engaging one's mouth. - Have facts straight and ensure that you "do not speak of that which you have no knowledge" [Qur'an 7:33] and verify facts before speaking [Q 49: 6]
- Be truthful
"Truthfulness is obligatory upon you for surely truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to paradise" [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)] - Employ speech only for good purpose
"Do not say anything except good"
An old Sufi tradition advises us to speak only after our words have managed to pass through four gates. We ask ourselves, "Are these words true? Are they necessary? Are they beneficial? Are they kind?" If the answer to any of these is no, then what you are about to say should be left unsaid.
Aim to live in such a way that you let each act of life be a flower and fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds. [Buddha] - Avoid vain talk - The Qur'an refers to those who truly believe as ...
"(Believers) are they who avoid vain talk" [Qur'an 22:3]
"They pass by nonsensical talk with honorable avoidance" [Qur'an 25:72]
If you do not have anything constructive or beneficial to say, don't say anything.
"Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let such a person speak good or remain silent." [Prophet Muhammad]
"Of those who have nothing to say, few are silent." [Historian, T.Carlyle]
"Let thy speech be better than thy silence, or be silent."[ [Dionysus] - Exercise Propriety - Though we should speak the truth even if it is bitter, we should never be
vulgar in the content or the manner of our speech. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"The Believer is never one who taunts, nor one who curses, is neither indecent nor abusive."
Imam Shaf'ie said:
"I never argue with someone aiming to undermine or humiliate, I rather pray that Allah puts the truth on our tongues and if he be right that I follow him, and if I be right that he follow me."
Confucius said:
"the great person calls to attention the good points in others, while the miserable person calls to attention the defects in others." [Analects 12:16]
So, use speech in the best possible manner for the best purpose only.
Good Word like a Good Tree
Words uttered by the tongue have the potential for tremendous impact on the speaker and those it reaches; it can comfort and console, it can hurt and humiliate. Islam considers a good word better than doing a favor/charity followed by hurt. [Q 2:263]
The simile quoted demands serious reflection. The Qur'anic verse ...
- compares a good word to a fruitful tree ~ advantageous in essence
- firmly rooted ~ based in the goodness of our inner-self
- reaches upwards ~ enhances, uplifts and empowers continuously
- reliably beneficial ~ does not fail to provide positive profit
- reflect ~ be of those who realize the value of good words
Let us use our power of speech to express wisdom and guidance, to thank and commend, to comfort and empathize, to express compassion and affection. Remember, "he who plants kindness harvests love." [Sa'di Shirazi]
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) thus advised:
And do not say anything unless it is good"