Controlling the tongue and bad words
Assalamu Alaykum
Q1) How can a man who swears alot and says bad things to people control his tongue and stop bad things and words from coming out of his mouth in Islam? How can a man make only good words come out of his mouth and how can a man only say good things when he speaks in Islam and not be harsh in his speech?
Answer
Wa ʿAlaykumus Salām Wa Raḥmatullāhi Wa Barakātuh
The following points may be considered:
- To think before speaking
- To count one’s words i.e., to be aware of what is being said while saying it
- To be conscious of the fact that we will be questioned on the Day of Judgement regarding the things we have said in this world
- To keep one’s tongue moist with the Zikr of Allāh ﷻ
- To send salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ in abundance
- To recite the Qur’ān regularly
- To make a concerted effort in emulating the Prophet ﷺ in terms of speech
- To read up on the life and history of the Prophet ﷺ and gain insight as to how he had addressed others and the manner in which he spoke
Furthermore, as a point of motivation, we implore you to ponder over the following prophetic tradition which will guarantee you Jannah (Paradise):
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
“Whoever guarantees for me (the correct usage of) what is between his jaws and what is between his legs, then I shall guarantee Jannah for him.”
References
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى الصَّنْعَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْمُقَدَّمِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” مَنْ يَتَكَفَّلُ لِي مَا بَيْنَ لَحْيَيْهِ وَمَا بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهِ أَتَكَفَّلُ لَهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ ” . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ سَهْلٍ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ حَدِيثِ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ