To control the tongue and reduce verbal sins, one must avoid backbiting, slander, lying, and idle talk. Instead, through self-monitoring, remembrance of Allah, and choosing good words, transform the tongue into a tool for good and divine pleasure.
The tongue, this small yet powerful organ, is one of the greatest blessings and at the same time one of the most dangerous tools granted by Allah to humanity. It can serve as a bridge to Paradise through remembrance (dhikr) and good speech, or a pitfall to Hell through sin and falsehood. The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) offer abundant teachings on controlling the tongue and avoiding verbal sins. To minimize sins committed with our tongue, we must first recognize the power and responsibility associated with this vital organ, and then consciously and spiritually regulate our speech. One of the most significant verbal sins explicitly prohibited by the Quran is "backbiting" (Gheebah). Allah says in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 12: "O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Most Merciful." This verse vividly portrays the ugliness of backbiting by likening it to eating the flesh of one's dead brother. To avoid backbiting, we must cultivate the habit of speaking only about people in their presence and never saying anything behind their backs that would displease them if they heard it. This practice requires constant self-control and vigilance. When the temptation to backbite arises, we should immediately recall this verse and restrain ourselves from such an act. Furthermore, avoiding gatherings that facilitate backbiting is highly effective. "Slander" and "calumny" (Bohtan) are other grave verbal sins that carry severe consequences in this world and the hereafter. Baselessly accusing individuals of actions they did not commit not only damages their reputation but also disrupts social order. The Quran unequivocally condemns this behavior. For instance, in the story of the slander (Ifk) in Surah An-Nur, Allah severely rebukes those who slandered chaste individuals. Avoiding slander means never uttering anything of which we are not certain and always upholding the principle of innocence concerning others. Spreading rumors and unverified quotes also fall into this category and can lead to major sins. Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 6, states: "O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become over what you have done regretful." This verse emphasizes the necessity of investigation and verification when hearing news, warning that no news should be accepted or disseminated without scrutiny. "Lying" (Kadhib) and "false witness" are also clear manifestations of verbal sins that erode a person's faith and integrity. Honesty is the backbone of faith, and lying destabilizes it. Lying in any form, whether small or large, not only destroys public trust but also sickens the human spirit and heart. Allah, in numerous verses, emphasizes the importance of honesty and truthfulness, listing lying as a characteristic of hypocrites. To abandon lying, we must internalize the value of truthfulness in our lives and adhere to it at all times, even in difficult situations. This requires practice and self-purification, and through contemplation and self-criticism, one can overcome this vice. Another verbal sin is "idle and vain talk" (Lahw al-Hadith). The Holy Quran warns believers against indulging in such speech. While these words may not be directly sinful, they waste one's time, distract from the remembrance of Allah, and create an environment conducive to other sins. A true believer is one who turns away from vain talk, and whose words are purposeful and beneficial. Focusing on the remembrance of Allah, reciting the Quran, and engaging in constructive conversations can serve as excellent alternatives to idle talk. Every word uttered by a person is recorded, as we read in Surah Qaf, verse 18: "He does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record it]." This verse serves as a powerful reminder of human accountability for every word, leading to self-control. To reduce verbal sins, several practical and spiritual strategies can be employed: 1. **Self-monitoring (Muraqabah) and accountability (Muhasabah):** Always pause briefly before speaking and reflect on what we intend to say. Is this statement good or evil? Is it beneficial or harmful? Will it upset someone or tarnish their reputation? Through this self-assessment, many verbal sins can be avoided. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent." This Hadith underscores the importance of silence when facing doubtful speech. 2. **Frequent remembrance of Allah (Dhikr):** The best way to keep the tongue pure is to accustom it to the remembrance of Allah. Reciting the Quran, sending blessings upon the Prophet (Salawat), seeking forgiveness (Istighfar), and other forms of divine remembrance not only prevent the tongue from sin but also purify the heart and lead to closeness with Allah. A tongue engaged in the remembrance of Allah is less likely to be defiled by backbiting, slander, and lying. 3. **Speaking with good intention:** Whenever we intend to speak, let our intention be good. The purpose of speech should be admonition, enjoining good, forbidding evil, consoling, teaching, or any other good deed. Speaking merely to pass time or for idle amusement creates fertile ground for sin. 4. **Avoiding corrupt gatherings:** Staying away from gatherings where backbiting, slander, insults, and vain talk are prevalent is extremely helpful. Our environment significantly impacts our behavior and speech. 5. **Practicing silence and speaking less:** Sometimes, silence itself is a great wisdom. In many cases, it is better to speak less to make fewer mistakes. As the saying goes, 'Speak little and choose your words like pearls.' This not only prevents verbal sins but also bestows greater character and dignity upon a person. 6. **Seeking Allah's help:** Wholeheartedly ask Allah to assist us in controlling our tongues. Supplication and sincere prayer to Allah are keys to overcoming many difficulties. Allah is our only helper on this challenging path. Ultimately, controlling the tongue requires an ongoing inner struggle. Every word we utter can have an eternal consequence, both for ourselves and for others. By adhering to these guidelines, we can transform our tongue into a tool for pleasing Allah and building a healthier society, moving towards perfection and true felicity.
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Most Merciful.
He does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record it].
And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan incites [discord] among them. Indeed, Satan is ever, to man, a clear enemy.
In Saadi's Gulistan, it is narrated that a wise man advised his son: "O son, if you know how to refrain your tongue from sin, then release it [to speak good], and if you do not know, then be silent, for silence is better than idle talk." One day, a man came to the same wise man and asked: "Advise me, how can I speak well with people?" The wise man smiled and replied: "First, purify your tongue from lies, backbiting, and slander, then you will see that good words will naturally spring from your heart. For a tongue not defiled by sin speaks nothing but goodness, and a heart devoid of malice holds nothing but love." This advice became a lifelong guide for the man, and he understood that the purity of the tongue originates from the purity of the heart.