While we are reciting the Quran, we pass many verses that entail careful contemplation and consideration. Amongst these verses is the saying of Allah the Almighty (which means): {We have certainly created man in the best of stature.} [Quran 95: 4] The most prominent feature that Allah the Almighty distinguished and beautified humans with from other creatures is by giving them the ability to speak.

Actually, the tongue is of great importance in our lives. Articulation and eloquent speech mainly depend on it. By it, one can express his feelings and emotions. Therefore, Allah the Almighty graced us with it and, thus, He, the Exalted, Says (what means): {[And He] taught him [man] eloquence.} [Quran 55: 4] In spite of this fact, the tongue still acts as a twofold tool: one can use it in remembering Allah the Almighty and reciting the Quran and, at the same time, one can use it in backbiting, tale bearing, slandering, and lying; w seek refuge with Allah the Almighty from all such things. It is sufficient here to mention the hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, in which the Prophet said: "A slave [of Allah] may utter a word that pleases Allah without giving it much attention and, because of that, Allah will raise him to degrees [of reward]. Also, a slave [of Allah] may utter a word [carelessly] that displeases Allah without thinking of its gravity and, because of that, he will be thrown into the Hellfire." [Al-Bukhari]

Accordingly, the tongue can be a cause of entering Paradise. Also, one can use it in, glorifying Allah the Almighty, reciting Tahleel (i.e. saying la ilaaha illallaah [there is none worthy of worship except Allah]), seeking His forgiveness, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and similar acts of worship. It was narrated that a Bedouin came to the Prophet and said: “O Messenger of Allah, teach me something that can cause me to enter Paradise.” Upon this, the Prophet said: “Feed the hungry, quench the thirst of the thirsty, enjoin people to do good deeds, and forbid them to commit evil deeds. If you are not able [to do that], then just guard your tongue from whatever is not good.” [Ibn Hibaan; Al-Albaani classified it as authentic]

Furthermore, the reward of the one who guards his tongue from whatever is evil and against its slips is that which is mentioned in the following narration: “Verily, there are lofty rooms in Paradise from which their outside can be seen from the inside and their inside from the outside; Allah prepared them for those who say kind words [to others], feed [the hungry], and spend the night praying voluntary prayers while people are asleep.” [Ibn Hibaan; Al-Albaani classified it as authentic]

Also, it was narrated that ‘Adiyy, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I heard the Prophet say: 'Protect yourself from Hellfire even by giving half a date in charity and, if you cannot find that, then by [uttering] a kind word.'” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

As the tongue is one of the things that cause one to enter Paradise, it is also one of the things that are most effective in making one enter Hellfire. The Prophet was asked about the things that are most effective in helping people enter Paradise. Upon this, he said: “Fearing Allah the Almighty and having a good attitude [towards people].” He was then asked about the things that are most effective in leading people to be thrown in Hellfire. He replied: “The [ill use] of one's mouth [tongue] and private parts.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah; Al-Albaani classified it as sound]

Furthermore, the Prophet affirmed this fact in the long hadith that was narrated by Mu‘aath, may Allah be pleased with him, in which the latter asked: “O Messenger of Allah, will we be held responsible for what we say with it?” He said, “Behold, O Mu‘aath! Will the people be thrown into Hellfire on their faces [or on their noses] for anything other than the harvest of their tongues?” [At-Tirmithi and Ahmad; Al-Albaani classified it as authentic]

The good atmosphere of faith and gifts that Allah the Almighty bestows upon us during this noble month of Ramadan highlight and warn against neglecting the grave dangers of the tongue if one forgets the command of Allah the Almighty regarding it and does not guard it. The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.” [Al-Bukhari]

Accordingly, one has to protect his fasting from ill speech, obscenities and speaking about what does not concern him. Moreover, one needs to refrain from things which can undermine his rewards, such as backbiting, tale bearing and slandering the honor of people. All such things are included in the obscenities that Allah the Almighty does not like or accept from His worshippers, as is mentioned in the Qudsi Hadith: "Every deed of the son of Aadam is for him [its reward is set] except for fasting; it is for Me and I will [abundantly] reward for it. Fasting is a shield and when one of you is fasting, he avoids obscenities and quarreling. If somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say: 'I am fasting.'" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]