Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … Just as the correct use of the tongue is a means of salvation, so too does the slightest indiscretion with it bring punishment upon the entire body. This small piece of flesh can be a cause of happiness as well as misery; it can be a source of honor as well as humiliation. The tongue makes some people the most respected individuals in society, while it renders others the most disgraced. The tongue is the foremost example of the saying, “A moment’s mistake, a century’s punishment.”

Dear readers! Observe all the organs of the body: before any organ undertakes a good or bad action, it makes a plan—for example, performing prayer (salah), removing something harmful from the path, or caring for the sick. But the tongue is such that, even while turning from side to side, it can become the cause of many good deeds or many sins. For instance, it may suddenly begin to utter the praises (tasbihat), glorifications (takbirat), and thanksgivings (tahmidat) of Allah Ta’ala, or, as it moves, it may curse someone, speak ill, utter a word of disbelief (kufr), make obscene jokes, engage in slander and backbiting, or tell lies, and so on. The Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has truly said that the tongue is exceedingly sharp and swift, and every organ complains about its agility.