All virtue comes from controlling one’s tongue
Al-Risala (English), July 1991, p. 23
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
All virtue comes from controlling one’s tongue
1991 7 July 23 All virtue comes from controlling one’s tongue (241) Mu’az ibn Jabal was with the Prophet on one of his journeys. He asked the Prophet to tell him of an action which would take him to heaven, and keep him out of hell. “That is a tremendous question,” the Prophet said, “and it is easy for those for whom God makes it easy. Worship God, and do not set up partners alongside Him. Offer prayer, and pay the poor-due; fast during the month of Ramadhan and go on a pilgrimage to the House of God.”
“Shall I tell you the source of all virtue?” the Prophet went on to ask Mu‘az, and without waiting for an answer he said: “Fasting is a shield, and charity extinguishes sins as water extinguishes fire. And be sure to pray in the stillness of the night.”
“And shall I tell you what the base of religion is, what its pillar is and what its pinnacle is?” the Prophet asked.
“Please do,” Mu‘az replied:
“Its base is Islam; its pillar is prayer; and its pinnacle is jihad. And shall I tell you what the root of all these things is?”
“Of course,” Mu‘at said eagerly.
Then the Prophet caught hold of his tongue and said: “Control this.”
“What,” Mu‘az said, “shall we be taken to task for what we say?” “Of course you will,” the Prophet replied. “It is because of people’s tongues that they will be thrown head first into the fire of hell”
