One of Allah’s greatest bounties is that He has granted us a tongue with the help of which we can put our point across to others. This is the tongue through which we can convert our enemies into friends, and can make enemies out of our friends.
Allah has bestowed us with this tongue, with which we can converse. We must thank Allah profusely for this great bounty by utilising the tongue for speaking good and beneficial talks.
If we are seated in a gathering where many people are speaking, then we must first simply listen to the conversation. If we wish to say something, we must carefully weigh the pros and cons of what we wish to say, and then speak accordingly.
If we have spoken something which is beneficial and has united two disputing persons, or prevented someone from sinning, or exhorted someone to do good, then such a talk is very great near Allah and pleases Him, and that person will be rewarded immensely. However, if we speak something that has created dispute and ill feeling between two persons or insulted someone, then such an act will displease Allah immensely.
If we are not polite in our speech with others and don’t respect
others, they in turn will not be polite towards us, thus relations between people will sour.
Then before we speak, we must consider whether our speech will benefit or profit others, else silence is better than speech. This silence will protect us from a lot of difficulties and dangers.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) declared, ‘May Allah have mercy on that person who when he opens his mouth speaks only constructive things and acquires some benefit from his speech, and guards his tongue from evil, thereby protecting himself (from dangers).
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