Every human being is born with a pre-destined ‘word-count’. Just as our provisions, our actions, our lifespan, and our fate in the hereafter are written, so too is the number of words we utter above the ground.
Allāh says in the Qur’ān:
مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ
“Man does not utter a single word without an observer.”
(Al-Qur’ān, 50:18)
Words by their nature, can have contrasting effects. They can be memorable but also forgotten, they can enact change but also have no influence, and they can be a cause for a person’s eternal salvation but also their eternal damnation.
The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said:
“A person utters a word thoughtlessly (i.e. without thinking about it being good or not) and, as a result of this, he will fall down into the fire of Hell deeper than the distance between the east and the west.”
(Bukhāri and Muslim)
Imam Nawawi elaborates:
“Every legally responsible person should refrain from saying anything except when there is a clear advantage to speaking. Whenever speaking and not speaking are of equal benefit, it is sunnah to remain silent, for permissible speech easily leads to that which is unlawful or offensive, as actually happens much or even most of the time — and there is no substitute for safety.”
Therefore, remember you are being examined. Make it incumbent upon yourself, to speak only when your words are more beneficial than your silence. A rush of blood is not an excuse to speak excessively, and thus inappropriately.
Take the advice of our Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam):
مَنْ صَمَتَ نَجَا
“Whoever is silent is saved.”
(Al-Tirmidhi)
Silence can save a person from slander, gossip, lying, backbiting, and swearing among other sins. Once the tongue utters the word, and those in your surroundings have been harmed, then begins the begging of forgiveness and feeling of regret.
As Umar ibn Al-Khattab said:
“I have never regretted my silence, as for my speech I’ve regretted it many times.”
Protect humanity from your tongue by exercising silence, your hereafter depends upon it.
🤲 May Allah busy our tongues with His remembrance, with His Quran and with what gains His pleasure and keep us away from idle talk and that which gains His wrath – Allahumma ameen!
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