Watch that Tongue Part 1

By Nur

Part 2

Bismillah

Have you ever entered into your university class and realized that you virtually know no one there? Maybe you are a shy individual, an introvert, and find it difficult to make friends in a new environment. Perhaps it is due to your inability to converse in an ordinary conversation that people think you are cold or arrogant. We all have been in a similar situation, feeling lonely or wishing we had some company to keep us occupied. What we need to know is that we do not have to have a Masters in Linguistics to be able to converse with people. It is absolutely alright for us to be introverts; in fact, it is best to remain silent if we do not have anything good or beneficial to say. But it is still a must to make sure that we fulfill the rights that others have upon us. This article will discuss the importance of fulfilling these rights and how we can go about achieving this, with Ahadith and Quranic verses to back up these statements.

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says in the Quran:

“And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful. And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.”(31:18-19)

The first verse above cautions us not to turn our faces away from people when they try to speak to us; additionally, we should not look down on them because of arrogance. We should be kind and gentle towards them. We are also told not to be boastful or arrogant because Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) does not like the arrogant, boastful, and self-indulgent.

We must make it clear here that avoiding arrogance does not mean that one cannot have nice clothing, or look clean and presentable. Arrogance in the above means rejecting the truth and looking down on people. This is illustrated in the hadith by the Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wa salam):

“He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not enter Paradise.” A person (amongst his hearers) said, “Verily a person loves that his dress should be fine, and his shoes should be fine.” He (the Holy Prophet) remarked, “Verily, Allaah is Graceful and He loves Grace. Pride is disdaining the truth (out of self-conceit) and contempt for the people” 

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 164]

When Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says in the second verse: 

“Indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys," 

Ibn Kathir, Mujahid, and others commented: “The most ugly of voices is the voice of the donkey (i.e. when a person raises his voice, the resulting noise is like the voice of a donkey in its loudness). Moreover, this is hateful to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Likening a loud voice to that of a donkey implies that it is forbidden and extremely blameworthy.”

None of us want to be hated by the Creator of the heavens and the earth; rather we should strive to be of those who are beloved and near to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) describes His true servants in the Qur’an:

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” (25:63)

These are Attributes of Allah’s (Subhanahuwa ta’ala) believing slaves who do not walk arrogantly nor with pride, rather they walk with humility and dignity. When those who are ignorant insult them or are rude to them, they reply with good, patience, and forgiveness which is the way of the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa salam).

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) also says (what is translated to mean):

“And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, ‘For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you; we seek not the ignorant.’ ” (28:55)

Many times we may feel that if we fulfill our five pillars, then we will be fine on the Day of Judgment; however, we find in a hadith that the consequences of mistreating others will follow us in the hereafter.

The Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wa salam) said:

“Do you know who the bankrupt are?” They said, “The one without money or goods is bankrupt.” He (sal Allahu alayhi wa salam) said, “The bankrupt are those from my nation who come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting, and charity, but come also insulting, slandering, consuming wealth, shedding blood, and beating others. They will each be given from his good deeds; if his good deeds run out before the score is settled, their bad deeds will be cast upon him, then he will be thrown into the Hellfire.”

[Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Number 6251]

Liked what you read so far? Look out for Part 2 of Watch that Tongue for more :)

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