THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MUSLIM WAY OF SPEAKING
With regard to people in general, one of the most important
issues in life is speech. Through it they express their views, their beliefs,
their ideas and thoughts. Ultimately, much of that which they feel in
their hearts, the thoughts they aim to hide, their desires, their ideals
or fears, are also reflected in their speech. Therefore, whether or not
someone's spiritual state is sound, or whatever level of intelligence
or conscientiousness they possess, it will make itself evident through
the words they use. From their language may be understood whether they
are honest, sincere, and trustworthy, or dishonest, ill-willed and potentially
a liar.
It is a well-recognized truth that one of the defining characteristics
of a person is his or her way of speaking. When someone is being judged,
for whatever matter, generally, it is what they say which is most often
taken into account to determine their level of innocence or culpability.
The job interview is a good example of this. Because employers often do
not find the written material provided by the applicant sufficient, they
opt to talk to them people face to face, to obtain information on them
about various subjects in person. Such discussions help the employer form
a better impression of the applicants' true character and personality.
The Qur'an, the Book that provides us with the most apt information on
all matters, informs us that speech is one of the most important characteristics
to bring to light a person's character. In a verse, Allah informs us that
one's manner of speaking is an important factor in discerning those who
are insincere: "If We wished, We would show them
to you and you would know them by their mark and know them by their ambivalent
speech. Allah knows your actions." (Surah Muhammad: 30)
Just as the manner of their speech reveals mean-spirited, ill-intentioned
or hypocritical people for who they are, so, too, does the rule apply
in reverse for people of faith, morality and who are good at heart. Consequently,
a person who has sincere faith in his heart speaks in a way that is particular
to the faithful, that is, in the way of the Muslims. The Muslim way of
speaking is one of the most telling attributes of believers that evinces
their love of Allah, their attachment to Him, and their respect and awareness
of Him. Because of this difference, manner of speech is one of the primary
characteristics that demark the faithful from unbelievers.
As recompense for their sincere belief, Allah assists believers to speak
in the noblest, most appropriate and sensible manner. A believer, through
knowledge of this truth, is more easily submissive to and trusting of
Allah. People who do not live fully by faith are more concerned of the
evil they hide in their hearts being revealed through their speech. But,
no matter what care they take, they cannot prevent their speech from exposing
them for who they really are. The Muslim way of speaking is a trait acquired
not from a technical study of language or of especial attention to one's
word use, but from sincere faith. This is a law of Allah, and an ability
granted by Him to believers.
Another important aspect of the Muslim way of speaking is the following;
Allah has imposed on believers the duty of communicating to others His
religion and the moral values which it prescribes. When believers, who
live by the values of religion, and who are cognizant of Allah's greatness,
sincerely relate their feelings and thoughts to those who are ignorant
of religion, and who lead a life far removed from it, this may help many
to turn to Islam and their hearts to be filled with awareness of Allah.
It is also an important act of worship for believers. Because of this,
true believers always ask of Allah the ability to speak intelligently,
wisely and appropriately. When they talk with others, they make reference
to Allah through the best of words, and tell them about the morality expounded
in Islam, enjoining what is the right and forbidding what is wrong. Hence,
for believers, speech becomes a form of worship, which can earn them reward
throughout their lives.
As we are told by the following verse, "Who speaks
anything better than the one who summons to Allah, acts righteously, and
says, 'I am among those who submit to Allah'?" (Surah Fussilat: 33),
those who speak most nobly are those who call on others to obey the morality
prescribed in the Qur'an, in other words, those who speak in the way of
the Muslims. By employing this manner of speaking, believers hope to earn
the pleasure of Allah, His mercy and Paradise. For this reason, all believers
whose sincerely turn to our Lord must fulfill all that is required in
speaking in the way of the Muslims, and show determination in that endeavor
until the end of their days.
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