Proper use of the Gift of Speech

"The Most Compassionate, He provided knowledge of the Qur'an; He Created Humankind; He provided human beings with the ability to communicate." Qur'an 55:1-4

"Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let such a person speak good or remain silent."  Prophet Muhammad

Communication 

• Human beings are social by nature and interact through communication. 
• Communication is a process that involves sharing ideas, opinions, perspectives and feelings with other people.
• The manner and content of communication often indicates beliefs, inclinations, attitudes and character. 
• The most common method of communication among human beings is speaking or verbal communication. 

Islamic teachings demand that when we speak we should:

• Control our tongues
  "It is obligatory upon you to control your tongue"
  Also remember
  "Whosoever speaks much is more prone to err."
  It is no wonder that the Prophet Muhammad , when asked about acts loved by Allah, he responded: 
  "Control of the tongue."
  "Silence is wisdom, yet few practice it." 
   
• Employ speech only for good purpose
  "Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let such a person speak good or remain silent."
  "Do not say anything except good" 
  Think before speaking
  Wise are the words of the one who said: 
  "Think before speaking so that you safeguard yourself from problems."
  It is important to engage one's brain before engaging one's mouth. Remember that good old prayer: 
  "O Lord! Grant me the ability to keep my mouth shut until I know what I am talking about." 
   
• Be truthful
  "Truthfulness is obligatory upon you for surely truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to paradise"
  One of the signs of a hypocrite is " the tendency to lie when speaking." 
   
• Avoid vain talk
  The Qur'an refers to those who truly believe as those who avoid vain and nonsensical talk
  "(Believers) are they who avoid vain talk" (Qur'an 22:3)
  "They pass by nonsensical talk with honorable avoidance." 
   
• Have our facts straight 
  Do not speak of that which you have no knowledge (Qur'an 7:33) and verify facts before speaking (Qur'an 49: 6) and do not pass on everything you hear 
  "Surely, Allah dislikes your communicating everything you hear from one person to another" 
   
• Exercise Propriety 
  Though we should speak the truth even if it is bitter, we should never be vulgar in the content or the manner of our speech
  "The Believer does not taunt nor a curse, neither is he indecent nor abusive." 
   
• Say what we mean and mean what we say 
  (honesty, propriety, accuracy)
  "The intelligent person considers his understanding and feelings before speaking, the idiot speaks irrespective of understanding and feeling." 
   
• Be conscious of the consequence of our words
  "Let your speaking be proper, your deeds will be rectified" (Qur'an 33:70)

Source: Islamic Center of Irvine

Sadullah Khan is the Director of Islamic Center of Irvine. He has presented lectures on Islamic Civilization at California State University at Dominguez Hills. He is a frequent lecturer for the Academy of Judaic, Christian and Islamic Studies at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). He is also an advisor to the Chancellor's Committee on Religion Ethics and Values at UCLA and serves as Director of Muslim Affairs at USC (University of Southern California).

You can watch his lectures on Empowerment and Hadith of the Day at IslamiTV

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