THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY: Islam’s Ethical and Spiritual Outlook

For example, a man has small children. If he considers them a trust from God and works to provide for them, and nurture them to become good individuals and responsible citizens, then he is acting in God’s path. Another person has elderly parents. If he views serving them as a divine responsibility and fulfills their needs out of that understanding, he too is acting in God’s path. If someone is addressing their natural needs within the limits set by divine law, and doing so consciously and morally, that effort too is in the path of God. RESPONSIBLE SPEECH Abu Hurairah, the Companion who narrated the most sayings of the Prophet, reported that the Prophet of Islam said: “Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 6018; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 47) A person who truly believes in God, with full awareness of His greatness and majesty—and who is convinced that every word will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment—will be extremely cautious about their speech. They will think before they speak. Before God reviews their words, they will review them themselves. Such a mindset makes a person their own supervisor. Their tongue becomes guarded, and they speak only when necessary. When there is no real need to speak, they prefer silence.