Na'eemah
17-03-07, 10:04 PM
:salams
:start:
The tongue is a piece of meat that looks harmless but on the contrary it is the most manipulative, "slippery" and carniving. Most of the time because of the tongue - family ties were broken, lovers argued and relationship between fellow brothers severed.
In Surah Al-Balad (verse 9) ALLAH SWT mentioned:- "wa lisanan wa shafatain" - that ALLAH SWT has given man a tongue and two lips.. ALLAH SWT has granted us this faculty of speech and the means of expressions. It is this "equipment" that I shall focus:
1. "Sweet Talking" Mouth
This tongue or rather mouth belongs to the group of people who are usually in need of your help or favour either for a fee but mostly for free. Many a time, this sweet talker will succeed in taking advantage of you without you realising that you have been taken for a ride.
This group is not sincere and will sometime even take advantage on others misfortunes. Normally, this sweet talkers are guys, so ladies beware! However not all sweet-talker are harmful some are harmless but who can tell the difference. Only time will tell their true colours - hopefully it is not too late.
2. "Cursing" Mouth
They curse and swear like nobody's business and to them cursing make their days. The greetings be it in the morning or night will be bad language and swearing. Some to the extend of punctuating their sentences with a curse:- it's their cup of tea and I really don't understand this sort of people. na'uzubillah.
3. "Non-Stop / Motorised" Mouth
There are some who cannot stop talking either because they love to talk or they may "stop breathing" when they stop talking. The only time you will see this group quiet is either when they are asleep or eating (because their mouth are full) but again some have acquired the skill to talk while eating.
They always have something to talk about. Pity the angels who have to jot down all this! Rasulullah :saw: mentioned if you have nothing to talk just keep quiet and again Rasulullah :saw: compared Muslims with the bees - they eat the best (nectar) and the best also comes from them (honey). As Muslims, we should take the best be it our foods, friends, behaviour, and produce the best again in everything and in this context our speech and "idle / empty-talk" will dull the mind and heart.
4. "Gossiper / Bad" Mouth
Rasulullah s.A.w. mentioned when another Muslim start to gossip or talk bad about another Muslim that Muslim (the gossiper) is actually eating the dead meat of fellow Muslims. This clearly shows that the act of gossiping is most despicable.
Even if the subject matter is true we are not encouraged to bad-mouthing fellow Muslim then it will be even worse if it is a lie! A true Muslim will not lie. ALLAH SWT will not reveal the "aib" or bad behaviour of someone if he hides the "aib" of another Muslim. But there are exceptions to this as such when someone is starting or spreading bad-rumours about ISLAM we are binded to "gossip" the credibility of that person be it a Muslim more so to non-Muslim.
5. "Indecent / Lying" Mouth
The characteristics of the munafiqun are when they talked they lied, when they promised the broke it and when given power or authority they abused it.
A lie will lead to another lie... in the end the liar gains nothing just like the boy who cried wolf. Some are professional liars - the conned artist. I believe if they take the lie-detector test, they will pass with flying colors. Please spare this thought - you can lie from head to toe everyday or night, all year round but remember ALLAH SWT will not be conned easily. Yes today you may have gained some time from your lying but please bear the retribution during life hereafter.
6. "Boastful / Big" Mouth
This group of people are arrogant and they think they are the elite of society. With their power and money they look down on the less fortunate than them. Sometime their high-handedness is not limited to their actions or bodily gestures but to the extend of chiding and criticizing the poor or the less advantage with hurtful words.
They let loose their wicked vanity which to them is a passport to taunt, mock and slander others. ALLAH SWT mentioned that ONLY ALLAH SWT is allowed to be "arrogant" not us. Who are we then to be proud? We are the same, we eat and sleep unless if you do not require sleep or do not consume food then you can boast around! Till then we are nothing. Just remember sooner or later we will die and face the all mighty, ALLAH SWT.
7. "Snake-Tongue / Twisted" Mouth
No, this is not for those who can recite the tongue-twister within second. If you notice the tongue of a snake, it is spilt into two at the end. This group is the hypocrite. In front of you they will shower praises and will say all the nice thing about you but once you turned your back they will start to talk bad about you sometime they even resort to "fitnah". Rasulullah :saw: mentioned that "to kill is better than spreading fitnah" no this hadith does not encourage killing but make you realised the damaging effect of a "fitnah".
Nowadays people tend to believe everything they hear. As Muslim we are encouraged to investigate first of any news we hear rather to jump into the wrong conclusion and be in the band-wagon of rumour-mongers. The mouth especially if it belongs to a powerful person if not careful used/uttered can be damaging not to a person alone but to the whole nation.
The best if we do not know about anything on any matter is to keep "quiet" not to add salt to the wound sometime to convince people we tend to exaggerate and by so doing sometime we fabricated evidence to support our false claim, na'uzubillah. Worst if we have committed the crimes and let another Muslim be the "fall-guy". In Surah An-Nisa' verse 112 ALLAH SWT clearly vindicated this:-
"AND WHOEVER EARNS A FAULT OR A SIN THEN THROWS IT ON TO SOMEONE INNOCENT, HE HAS INDEED BURDENED HIMSELF WITH FALSEHOOD AND A MANIFEST SIN".
8. "Protected and Restricted" Mouth
Rasulullah s.A.w. guaranteed that those who guard what is between their two jaws and their two thighs with janna. Now this is not easy however since when to do sometime for ALLAH SWT will be easy? ALLAH SWT mentioned that we will be tested in order to prove our worthiness for heaven.
By the way our nafs will also be fighting with us to make the journey most difficult. The ummah before us suffered tremendously but they persevered and have Janna as their reward.
If they can do it, why can't we! Insya'allah. We must always seek ALLAH SWT help in whatever we do and ALLAH SWT will guide those who asks for guidance. This hadith advised us to be practical when using our tongue, to use it wisely and "locked" it when not necessary.
Muaz Ibn Jabal said:-
"I was with the Prophet :saw: on a journey. One day I was walking beside him when I said, "Messenger of ALLAH! point out to me something I may do to take me to Paradise and keep me away from hell!" He said "You have indeed asked about something great yet it is quite attainable by those for whom ALLAH SWT has made it easy. Worship ALLAH assigning to ALLAH SWT no partner, offer your prayers regular, pay out what is due to the poor of your money, fast in the month of Ramadhan and offer pilgrimage".
The Prophet :saw: than said.. "Shall I point out to you the gates of goods?" I said "Yes, Messenger of ALLAH please do". He said "Fasting is a safeguard and a means of protecting yourself, charity erases your errors just as water extinguishes a burning fire and your praying in the late hours of the night is a sign of piety".
He then recited the verse:- "(those) who forsake their beds as they call on their Lord in fear and in hope and who give in charity of what WE have bestowed on them. No soul knows what bliss and comfort is in store for these as rewards for their labours"
(Sajdah 16)
The prophet :saw: then went on:- "Shall I tell you what the heart of the matter is, its the backbone and its highest grade?" I said "Yes Messenger of ALLAH please do". He said:- "the heart is Islam that is submission to ALLAH SWT, its backbone is prayers and the highest grade is Jihad that is struggle for the cause of Islam". He then said "Shall I tell you what commands all these? I said "Yes, Messenger of ALLAH, please do". He said "Control this!" and he pointed to his TONGUE. I said "Are we, Prophet of ALLAH really accountable for what we say". He said "May your mother lose you (Arabic expression:- which in this case may mean watch what you are saying).
For what else are people dragged on their faces in Hell apart from what the tongue yield." (related by Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah). Now from this hadith need I say more....I rest my tongue..(I mean case!)
9. "Truthful" Mouth
This group will tell the truth even if it hurts you... mind you actually this is for your own good... (medicine tastes bitter). These are actually your friends. They guide you with constructive criticisms and advises.
Sometime their truthfulness make them public enemy but somebody has to stand for the right and truth! In Surah Nisa',verse 114 ALLAH SWT praises this group of people who seek ALLAH SWT blessing by advising people to do ma'ruf and sadaqah or by conciliation (make peace) between mankind.
10. "Blessed / Blissful" Mouth
There was once when Rasulullah :saw: passed by a gathering of Sahaba reciting and remembering ALLAH SWT. Rasulullah :saw: asked what are they doing... they mentioned that they doing "zikrullah" and nothing else... then Rasulullah s.A.w. mentioned that ALLAH SWT through arch angel JIBRIL has mentioned that ALLAH SWT is proud of them. Even if a sinner happened to sit in that gathering ALLAH SWT will forgive him, subhanallah. Now from this hadith we know that the best use of the tongue is to remember ALLAH SWT.
This tongue will always be "wet" due to remembering ALLAH SWT. They sit, stand, and sleep by reciting the greatness of ALLAH SWT not only from their heart but they manifest it in their action too.
Even our Rasulullah :saw: said the "istighfar" seventy time some related as one hundred times a day. Now if Rasulullah, who's sin has been forgiven by ALLAH SWT still felt the need to say the istighfar what about us? The commonest among common. Please make it a habit to think and recite the zikrullah form now on and the most afdal of all zikri is "LAA ILLAHA ILL'ALLAH" and in Surah Al-Anfal verse 45 - those who mentioned ALLAH SWT in abundance is most successful, insha'allah.
Dear brothers and sisters, alhamdulillah ALLAH SWT has bestowed us with great tidings not only in this world but the next, insya'allah. Before we could truly claim what is ours (insya'allah Janna) we first must prove that we are worthy of that place. It is not enough just by saying "yes/no or I will or will not do this/that... we have to practice what we preach and during judgement day we will be "tongue-tied" as our tongue will not be giving any evidence of what we have said (other parts of the body will do that)... so TALK! DON'T TALK? it is up to you and please bear in mind sometime what we say will mean nothing to us but will be "poisonous" to our listeners. Words cannot be swallowed and our words will be a start to a long lasting friendship or animosity. In conclusion I like to share a passage from In the Shade of the Qur'an by Sayyid Qutb:
"These are the favours (sight and speech) bestowed on man in his actual make-up to help him to follow the right guidance:- his eyes with which he recognises the evidence of ALLAH's might and the signs indicated all over this universe which should prompt him to adopt the faith and his tongue and lips which are his means of speech and expression. One word sometime does the job of a sword or a shotgun and can be even more effective that either. It may on other hand plunge a man in the fire of Hell."
Firdaus
[Currently, he is a student of Islamic Studies in Singapore. He is also active with organisations working with the spiritual needs of handicap Muslims. As well, the writer is a member of a non profitable organisation which oversees the financial needs of Muslim students. He writes short articles in the hope that this brief style will benefit his readers with useful knowledge and stimulate the Iman in an interesting manner.]
(Received this via an email)
:start:
The tongue is a piece of meat that looks harmless but on the contrary it is the most manipulative, "slippery" and carniving. Most of the time because of the tongue - family ties were broken, lovers argued and relationship between fellow brothers severed.
In Surah Al-Balad (verse 9) ALLAH SWT mentioned:- "wa lisanan wa shafatain" - that ALLAH SWT has given man a tongue and two lips.. ALLAH SWT has granted us this faculty of speech and the means of expressions. It is this "equipment" that I shall focus:
1. "Sweet Talking" Mouth
This tongue or rather mouth belongs to the group of people who are usually in need of your help or favour either for a fee but mostly for free. Many a time, this sweet talker will succeed in taking advantage of you without you realising that you have been taken for a ride.
This group is not sincere and will sometime even take advantage on others misfortunes. Normally, this sweet talkers are guys, so ladies beware! However not all sweet-talker are harmful some are harmless but who can tell the difference. Only time will tell their true colours - hopefully it is not too late.
2. "Cursing" Mouth
They curse and swear like nobody's business and to them cursing make their days. The greetings be it in the morning or night will be bad language and swearing. Some to the extend of punctuating their sentences with a curse:- it's their cup of tea and I really don't understand this sort of people. na'uzubillah.
3. "Non-Stop / Motorised" Mouth
There are some who cannot stop talking either because they love to talk or they may "stop breathing" when they stop talking. The only time you will see this group quiet is either when they are asleep or eating (because their mouth are full) but again some have acquired the skill to talk while eating.
They always have something to talk about. Pity the angels who have to jot down all this! Rasulullah :saw: mentioned if you have nothing to talk just keep quiet and again Rasulullah :saw: compared Muslims with the bees - they eat the best (nectar) and the best also comes from them (honey). As Muslims, we should take the best be it our foods, friends, behaviour, and produce the best again in everything and in this context our speech and "idle / empty-talk" will dull the mind and heart.
4. "Gossiper / Bad" Mouth
Rasulullah s.A.w. mentioned when another Muslim start to gossip or talk bad about another Muslim that Muslim (the gossiper) is actually eating the dead meat of fellow Muslims. This clearly shows that the act of gossiping is most despicable.
Even if the subject matter is true we are not encouraged to bad-mouthing fellow Muslim then it will be even worse if it is a lie! A true Muslim will not lie. ALLAH SWT will not reveal the "aib" or bad behaviour of someone if he hides the "aib" of another Muslim. But there are exceptions to this as such when someone is starting or spreading bad-rumours about ISLAM we are binded to "gossip" the credibility of that person be it a Muslim more so to non-Muslim.
5. "Indecent / Lying" Mouth
The characteristics of the munafiqun are when they talked they lied, when they promised the broke it and when given power or authority they abused it.
A lie will lead to another lie... in the end the liar gains nothing just like the boy who cried wolf. Some are professional liars - the conned artist. I believe if they take the lie-detector test, they will pass with flying colors. Please spare this thought - you can lie from head to toe everyday or night, all year round but remember ALLAH SWT will not be conned easily. Yes today you may have gained some time from your lying but please bear the retribution during life hereafter.
6. "Boastful / Big" Mouth
This group of people are arrogant and they think they are the elite of society. With their power and money they look down on the less fortunate than them. Sometime their high-handedness is not limited to their actions or bodily gestures but to the extend of chiding and criticizing the poor or the less advantage with hurtful words.
They let loose their wicked vanity which to them is a passport to taunt, mock and slander others. ALLAH SWT mentioned that ONLY ALLAH SWT is allowed to be "arrogant" not us. Who are we then to be proud? We are the same, we eat and sleep unless if you do not require sleep or do not consume food then you can boast around! Till then we are nothing. Just remember sooner or later we will die and face the all mighty, ALLAH SWT.
7. "Snake-Tongue / Twisted" Mouth
No, this is not for those who can recite the tongue-twister within second. If you notice the tongue of a snake, it is spilt into two at the end. This group is the hypocrite. In front of you they will shower praises and will say all the nice thing about you but once you turned your back they will start to talk bad about you sometime they even resort to "fitnah". Rasulullah :saw: mentioned that "to kill is better than spreading fitnah" no this hadith does not encourage killing but make you realised the damaging effect of a "fitnah".
Nowadays people tend to believe everything they hear. As Muslim we are encouraged to investigate first of any news we hear rather to jump into the wrong conclusion and be in the band-wagon of rumour-mongers. The mouth especially if it belongs to a powerful person if not careful used/uttered can be damaging not to a person alone but to the whole nation.
The best if we do not know about anything on any matter is to keep "quiet" not to add salt to the wound sometime to convince people we tend to exaggerate and by so doing sometime we fabricated evidence to support our false claim, na'uzubillah. Worst if we have committed the crimes and let another Muslim be the "fall-guy". In Surah An-Nisa' verse 112 ALLAH SWT clearly vindicated this:-
"AND WHOEVER EARNS A FAULT OR A SIN THEN THROWS IT ON TO SOMEONE INNOCENT, HE HAS INDEED BURDENED HIMSELF WITH FALSEHOOD AND A MANIFEST SIN".
8. "Protected and Restricted" Mouth
Rasulullah s.A.w. guaranteed that those who guard what is between their two jaws and their two thighs with janna. Now this is not easy however since when to do sometime for ALLAH SWT will be easy? ALLAH SWT mentioned that we will be tested in order to prove our worthiness for heaven.
By the way our nafs will also be fighting with us to make the journey most difficult. The ummah before us suffered tremendously but they persevered and have Janna as their reward.
If they can do it, why can't we! Insya'allah. We must always seek ALLAH SWT help in whatever we do and ALLAH SWT will guide those who asks for guidance. This hadith advised us to be practical when using our tongue, to use it wisely and "locked" it when not necessary.
Muaz Ibn Jabal said:-
"I was with the Prophet :saw: on a journey. One day I was walking beside him when I said, "Messenger of ALLAH! point out to me something I may do to take me to Paradise and keep me away from hell!" He said "You have indeed asked about something great yet it is quite attainable by those for whom ALLAH SWT has made it easy. Worship ALLAH assigning to ALLAH SWT no partner, offer your prayers regular, pay out what is due to the poor of your money, fast in the month of Ramadhan and offer pilgrimage".
The Prophet :saw: than said.. "Shall I point out to you the gates of goods?" I said "Yes, Messenger of ALLAH please do". He said "Fasting is a safeguard and a means of protecting yourself, charity erases your errors just as water extinguishes a burning fire and your praying in the late hours of the night is a sign of piety".
He then recited the verse:- "(those) who forsake their beds as they call on their Lord in fear and in hope and who give in charity of what WE have bestowed on them. No soul knows what bliss and comfort is in store for these as rewards for their labours"
(Sajdah 16)
The prophet :saw: then went on:- "Shall I tell you what the heart of the matter is, its the backbone and its highest grade?" I said "Yes Messenger of ALLAH please do". He said:- "the heart is Islam that is submission to ALLAH SWT, its backbone is prayers and the highest grade is Jihad that is struggle for the cause of Islam". He then said "Shall I tell you what commands all these? I said "Yes, Messenger of ALLAH, please do". He said "Control this!" and he pointed to his TONGUE. I said "Are we, Prophet of ALLAH really accountable for what we say". He said "May your mother lose you (Arabic expression:- which in this case may mean watch what you are saying).
For what else are people dragged on their faces in Hell apart from what the tongue yield." (related by Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah). Now from this hadith need I say more....I rest my tongue..(I mean case!)
9. "Truthful" Mouth
This group will tell the truth even if it hurts you... mind you actually this is for your own good... (medicine tastes bitter). These are actually your friends. They guide you with constructive criticisms and advises.
Sometime their truthfulness make them public enemy but somebody has to stand for the right and truth! In Surah Nisa',verse 114 ALLAH SWT praises this group of people who seek ALLAH SWT blessing by advising people to do ma'ruf and sadaqah or by conciliation (make peace) between mankind.
10. "Blessed / Blissful" Mouth
There was once when Rasulullah :saw: passed by a gathering of Sahaba reciting and remembering ALLAH SWT. Rasulullah :saw: asked what are they doing... they mentioned that they doing "zikrullah" and nothing else... then Rasulullah s.A.w. mentioned that ALLAH SWT through arch angel JIBRIL has mentioned that ALLAH SWT is proud of them. Even if a sinner happened to sit in that gathering ALLAH SWT will forgive him, subhanallah. Now from this hadith we know that the best use of the tongue is to remember ALLAH SWT.
This tongue will always be "wet" due to remembering ALLAH SWT. They sit, stand, and sleep by reciting the greatness of ALLAH SWT not only from their heart but they manifest it in their action too.
Even our Rasulullah :saw: said the "istighfar" seventy time some related as one hundred times a day. Now if Rasulullah, who's sin has been forgiven by ALLAH SWT still felt the need to say the istighfar what about us? The commonest among common. Please make it a habit to think and recite the zikrullah form now on and the most afdal of all zikri is "LAA ILLAHA ILL'ALLAH" and in Surah Al-Anfal verse 45 - those who mentioned ALLAH SWT in abundance is most successful, insha'allah.
Dear brothers and sisters, alhamdulillah ALLAH SWT has bestowed us with great tidings not only in this world but the next, insya'allah. Before we could truly claim what is ours (insya'allah Janna) we first must prove that we are worthy of that place. It is not enough just by saying "yes/no or I will or will not do this/that... we have to practice what we preach and during judgement day we will be "tongue-tied" as our tongue will not be giving any evidence of what we have said (other parts of the body will do that)... so TALK! DON'T TALK? it is up to you and please bear in mind sometime what we say will mean nothing to us but will be "poisonous" to our listeners. Words cannot be swallowed and our words will be a start to a long lasting friendship or animosity. In conclusion I like to share a passage from In the Shade of the Qur'an by Sayyid Qutb:
"These are the favours (sight and speech) bestowed on man in his actual make-up to help him to follow the right guidance:- his eyes with which he recognises the evidence of ALLAH's might and the signs indicated all over this universe which should prompt him to adopt the faith and his tongue and lips which are his means of speech and expression. One word sometime does the job of a sword or a shotgun and can be even more effective that either. It may on other hand plunge a man in the fire of Hell."
Firdaus
[Currently, he is a student of Islamic Studies in Singapore. He is also active with organisations working with the spiritual needs of handicap Muslims. As well, the writer is a member of a non profitable organisation which oversees the financial needs of Muslim students. He writes short articles in the hope that this brief style will benefit his readers with useful knowledge and stimulate the Iman in an interesting manner.]
(Received this via an email)