Tongue is the most important part of human being. It may be used in a constructive way or destructive way. It needs to be controlled so that it may not attack someone. The tongue is used in a constructive way; it is used to recite Kalema of Shahadah, recite the Glorious Qur’an, praise Allah (s.w.t.), contact with others to inquire their welfare, recite prayers, say Amr-e-bil Maruf (ask people to do good deeds) and Nahi anil Munkar(stop people not to do bad deeds) etc. Its destructive uses may include talking kufr, hurt others in a wrong way, back-biting, utter obscene language etc.

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said: Blessed is the man who speaks good and is triumphant; or keeps silent in the face of evil. Affliction caused by the tongue is worse than (that caused by) the strike of the blade of the sword. The destruction of man lies in three (things): his stomach, his lusts, and his tongue. Everything that a person says is against him, except for three types of speech: the remembrance of Allah; Amr bil Maruf and Nahi anil Munkar; and making amends between two believers. An active tongue of a person will lead him in the Hell Fire. Whoever seeks safety (from the fire), then let him protect that which comes out from his tongue. May Allah’s mercy be upon that servant whom people can benefit from his speech and who observes silence to stay safe and protected.

The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: Do contemplate before speaking so that you may guard yourself from (committing) errors. The tongue of a wise man lies behind his heart. The tongues pierce deeper than the spear. A man is hiding under his tongue. The best speech is one that is short and reasonable. The right of freedom of speech consists in speaking the truth. As a man’s wisdom increases, so his desire to speech decreases. That knowledge is superficial which is merely on the tongue; that knowledge is real which demonstrates itself in your practice. Do not speak in a state of ignorance. Refrain from unnecessary talks.

The Infallible Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said: Behave to be as ornaments for us and not to be against us as shame. Tell people of goodness, and protect your tongues and hold it from excessive talks and offensive speech.

Back-biting: The foremost great sin for which the Glorious Qur’an and the Traditions have promised chastisement is back-biting. Surah al-Nur Ayah 19 says, “Surely (as for) those who love that scandal should circulate respecting those who believe, they will have a grievous chastisement in this world and in hereafter.” Similarly, Sarah al-Hujurat Ayah 12 says, “…nor let some of you back-bite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it….” A tradition of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) say, “On the night of Mira’j (Ascension), I saw some people in Hell who were eating dead meat. I asked Jibril (a.s.) who those people were. He replied, “They used to eat human flesh in their worldly life (that is, they used to back-bite about other people).”

The Infallible Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) said, “If one speaks of a person in his absence about something which is present in a person but people are unaware of it, it would be “Ghiba”. Moreover, if what he says is not present in the person, it is allegation (Buh’tan)”

It is said that on the Day of Judgment, the other parts of body will curse the tongue that because of its utterances, the other parts of the body will suffer chastisement.

Sources used: The Glorious Qur’an, The characteristics of a Muslim, Tabrasi, Mashkat al-Anwar page 175, Ethical Discourses by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi, A Battle of Flowers by Sayyid Faqih Imani, Bihar ul Anwar v. 71 page 277, 286. V. 78 page 178, Ghurar -ul-Hikam, Waqaayi-ul-Ayyam page 297