Foreword

A person once said to the Prophet, ‘O Messenger of God, a certain woman is said to offer salat (prayers), observe fasts and give alms generously, but she hurts her neighbours by the way she speaks.’ The Prophet replied, ‘She will go to Hell’ Then the man said, ‘O Messenger of God, a certain other woman says fewer prayers, keeps fewer fasts voluntarily and offers little in the way of alms. She only gives a few pieces of cheese. But she never hurts her neighbours with her tongue.’ The Prophet replied, ‘She will enter Paradise.’ HADITH OF AHMAD IBN HANBAL