Ramadan Mubarak! Subhanallah, almost a week has gone by already! Even though the day feels a little long to me, it is summer so the hours the sun is up are longer, the days just went by so quick! I have this book, Guarding the Tongue, from the book Al-Adhkaar. It is the 4th book of The Golden Advice Series from DARUSSALAM PUBLICATIONS, that I have been and will be reading during Ramadan besides the Quran and any other Islamic books inshallah. My idea is to post a little from the book that I learned and I want to share, from each chapter each week inshallah. There are four chapters along with three appendixes, so there should be plenty of things to share about inshallah.
"Guard your tongue O mankind
And do not let it bite you, for indeed it is a snake
How many people in the graveyards are there, who were killed by their tongues
Whoever fears meeting Him (on the Day of Judgement) is truly the brave one."
{Al-Usool Wa Al-Futuhaat Ar-Rabaaniyyah}
Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) says:
"Not a word does one utter, except that there is an (angel) watching, ready to record it." [Qaaf (50):18] (Something to remember!)
Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu 'anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wassalam) said:
"Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, then let him speak good remain silent." [Bukhaaree)
This Hadeeth is a clear-cut proof that one shouldn't talk unless his speech is good- and that is the speech that consists predominantly of benefit. So if one has doubt as to whether or not his speech consists of benefit, then she should not speak. (This is what I am trying make sure I do, subhanallah)
Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee (raheemahullah) said: "When one desires to talk, then it is upon him to think before he speaks. If there is beneficial good in what he will say, then he should speak. And if he has doubt about that, then he must not speak until he clears that doubt (by making his speech good)."
Some points from some sayings of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wassalam) from this chapter:
- The tongue controls the actions that draw to Paradise and keeps one away from the Hell Fire
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudree (radhiallahu 'anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wassallam) said:
"When the Son of Adam wakes from his sleep, all of his body parts seek refuge from his tongue saying: 'Fear Allah with regard to us, for indeed we are a part of you, So if you are upright, we will be upright and if you are corrupt, then we shall be corrupt." [Tirmidhee] (I did not know this!) - Guarding the believer's tongue is a means of his entering Paradise
Sahl bin Sa'ad (radhiallahu 'anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu 'alayhi wassallam) said: "Whoever can guarantee for me (that he will guard) what is between his jaws (tongue) and what is between his legs (private parts), I will guarantee for him Paradise." [Bukhaaree] - Guarding the tongue is a sign of steadfastness and an indication of the best of the Muslims
Abu Moosaa Al-Ash'aree (radhiallahu 'anhu) reported: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Which of the Muslims is best?' He responded:
'He whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe from.'" [Bukhaaree & Muslim]
Abul-Qaasim Al Qushayree (raheemahullah) said in his famous Risaalah: "Remaining silent is salvation and that is a fundamental principle. And staying quiet at the proper time is a characteristic of manhood, just as speaking when it is proper to speak is from the most honorable of matters."
Chapter 2- Part 1: The Prohibition of Backbiting and Gossiping
Chapter 2- Part 2
Chapter 3: What Type of Backbiting is Permissible
Chapter 4: Expiating Oneself and Repenting from Backbiting
Appendix A