Dear Believers:

The subject today is about "Guarding One's Tongue." Allah mentions in the Qur'an that He made for us two eyes, one tongue, and two lips; that He guided us towards the truth; and that He informed us about the wrong way. In this respect the Qur'an states:

"Have we not made for him a pair of eyes? A tongue, and a pair of lips? And guided him towards the two paths (of success)" (90:8-10)

Allah informed us that we are responsible for what we do, for what we say, for whatever we listen, for wherever we go, for whatever we write, and for whatever we see. We will be asked in the Day of Judgement about all these activities and more. We will be rewarded if we use our organs and faculties in the best way and for the love of Allah. We will be charged or penalized if we use them in the wrong way. We have to remember that in the Day of Judgement our physical organs will stand as witnesses for and against us.

Allah says in Surah Al-Nur :

"On the Day their tongues, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their actions." (24:24)

My Dear Muslims,

I warn you to guard your tongue, and try your sincere best to use it in the right direction. Use it for the love and pleasure of Allah. Use it for Da'wah. Use your tongue to invite people towards Islam and inform people about Islam.

It is said that the best Muslim is the one who helps other Muslims, and the one from whom the Muslims benefit and, feel protected. In this respect our beloved Prophet (pbuh) said, when he was asked which Muslim is better?

"One from whose tongue and hand the Muslims feel save."

My Dear Muslims,

The best way to save ourselves from the torment of Hell is to guard and to control our tongues. The Prophet said when he was asked as to what is meant by safety:

"Control your tongue, keep yourself at home, and weep for your sins."

In one of the long Hadith related to guarding of our tongues, the Prophet (saws) is reported to have said to Mu'az b Jabal :

"The epitome of everything is Islam, its pillar is Salat, and its peak is Jihad."

Then the Prophet said:

"Shall I inform you of the master of all of this?"

I said: "Yes! O Messenger of Allah."

The prophet Held his tongue saying :

"Guard this ."

I said: "O Messenger of Allah: are we accounted and blamed for whatever we speak ?"

He replied : "Your mother has lost you! Don't you know that the tongues' talks are the ones that dump people in Hell!"

Dear Muslims,

It is popularly said:

"Silence is wisdom, whereas few act according to it."

The afore-mentioned ayat and Ahadith should give us a lesson not to talk unless it is good and our talks are for the love of Allah. Remember that one of the Sahabah wished that his neck to be as long as a camel's, so that he would try to think twice before he speaks out.

We are being nicknamed as a community fond of talking, and not a community of action. The third Khalifa Uthman b Affan once gave a khutbah. His total speech was as little as the following :

"O mankind! you are more in need of a leader of action rather than a leader who merely talks."

Dear Muslims,

Let me request you kindly :

To refrain from vain talks.

To stop spreading rumors.

To verify any news spread to us.

To correct the news from any source.

To stop all types of backbiting against one another.

To lower our voices, and speak softly and gently.

Not to be ashamed saying : "I don't know" for any question that you don't know its answer.

To take the initiative and make da'wah for the love of Allah. Be sure you say the truth about Islam.

Try to read more about Islam mainly the Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh, Seerah, etc.

To keep busy in doing something good to you and to others.

To keep watch over your mistakes and your sins.