Guard your tongue with good speech
“Whoever truly believes in Allah and the hereafter, let him speak what is good or be silent.”
Believers must guard their tongues by avoiding backbiting, cursing, obscenity, arrogance, and hatred while cultivating mercy, humility, silence, and beneficial speech.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- The khutbah frames sound speech and avoidance of backbiting as Quranic obligations.
- It explains that criticizing others often comes from arrogance, superiority, hatred, or division.
- Prophetic examples show forgiveness, gentleness, and refusing to repay insults with insults.
- It warns against foul, sexualized, and demeaning language, especially toward others in the community.
- The speaker recommends purposeful silence and pairing outward religious practice with inner mercy and humility.
- The khutbah closes with supplications, a reminder to guard the tongue, and brief community announcements.
In the khateeb's words
“even if you are factually better than that person you are talking about, remember who made you better.”
“whoever truly believes in Allah and the hereafter let him speak what is good or be silent”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that our words are a trust from Allah and can either heal people or harm them. When we notice someone's faults, we should speak privately with care, make dua for them, and remember their good qualities. The Prophet responded to insults with gentleness instead of returning evil for evil. We should avoid gossip, curses, obscenity, and hurtful jokes, and practice silence when we have nothing good to say. Our outward religious practice should be joined with mercy, humility, care, and responsibility.
- What is one kind or helpful thing you could say this week instead of criticizing someone?
- When might staying silent be wiser than replying?
- How can we correct a family member with mercy rather than embarrassment?
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