Manners in Speech

Holding one’s tongue: the key to righteousness While on a journey with the Prophet, Muadh ibn Jabal asked him to show him how to behave so that he should go straight to Heaven and be saved from the Fire. “What you ask is of very great importance,” replied the Prophet, “but it is not difficult for one for whom God has made it easy. Simply serve God, ascribing to Him no partner; say your prayers, pay zakat, fast and perform the pilgrimage to the House of God.” then he continued, “Shall I tell you of the gate to all goodness? It is fasting, which is like a shield, and charity, which washes away sin in the way that water douses a fire; and rising and saying one’s prayer in the stillness of the night. And shall I tell you of the foundation, pillars and roof of the edifice of religion?” Muadh showed his eagerness for the Prophet to tell him. “The foundation is Islam, the pillars are prayers, and roof the struggle for God’s cause,” said the Prophet. Then he asked Muadh, “Shall I tell you what the key to all this is?” Again Muadh expressed his desire to know. The Prophet put out his tongue and, holding it between thumb and the forefinger, said, “Control this.” “Shall we be taken to task for what we say?” enquired Muadh “Your own mother should despair of you,” answered the Prophet. “What will it be if not people’s own tongues which will cause them to be thrown head first into the fire?”