Some look to eternity, others see only the present world

Some look to eternity, others see only the present world

1991 1 January 19 Some look to eternity, others see only the present world (63) When the Prophet was commanded to make his mission public he stood on top of the hill of Safa and called on the people of Mecca. They gathered to hear what he had to say. “I am warning you of a dreadful damnation to come,” he said. “Perpetual damnation be upon you,” Abu Lahab replied. “Is that all you called us together for?”

The Wisdom and Folly of Speech

1990 1 January 19 The Wisdom and Folly of Speech (258) The Prophet of Islam held that one who believed in God and the Last Day should give utterance to what is good and right, failing which he should remain silent.

Jean de la Bruyere (1645-1696), a French writer, expressed much the same idea when he wrote; “It is a great misery not to have enough wit to speak well, nor enough judgement to keep quiet.”

The ability to speak is one of the greatest gifts bestowed on man by God. If this ability is properly used, it is a divine blessing, but, if improperly used, it becomes a misfortune of the worst kind.

If the power of speech is to be put to the proper use a man must think before he speaks. He must listen before he says anything. Before mouthing even a syllable, he must bear in mind that he has to account to God for every word he utters. Even if he has something to say, he should by preference keep quiet. And when he speaks, it should not just be for the sake of speaking, but as a matter of responsibility.

Speech is improperly used when a man speaks without thinking, without trying to understand the matter in hand. Such a person is generally not interested in listening to others, and when he begins to speak, it is more to impress his audience than to express some truth.

Speech, therefore, although the greatest good, can also be the greatest sin. One who knows this truth will make his speech as meaningful as his silence.