Among the meaning of word is ‘a thing that you say or a
remark or statement or a piece of information made’.
Word can either be said or listened to and it can be
categorized into two groups, that is, good and bad
words, positive or negative.

Good/positive words are pure, decent, sensible, beneficial, informing, inspiring and reliable. Bad/negative words are indecent, dirty,insult, falsehood and futile. Because word has strong effect on souls and body, most often, people assume the
shape and characters of their words, making them good
or bad persons. It matters not whether taken seriously
or not, word can cause serious mind and body problem
or total healing of body and soul. Likewise it can lead to
one’s Destruction or Salvation in the Hereafter! A true
Muslim must therefore be mindful of his utterances and
avail himself with positive reliable words and shun all
negative futile words for his Worldly and Heavenly
Honor!


PARABLE OF CATEGORIES OF WORD:
Of the two categories of word Allah says: “See thou not how Allah sets forth a parable? A ‘Kalimatan
toyyibatan’ (goodly word) like a goodly tree, whose root
is firmly fixed and its branches reach to the heavens. It
brings forth its fruits at all times by the leave of its
Lord…and the parable of ‘Kalimatan khabithatin’ (an evil
word) is that of an evil tree. It is torn up by the root
from the surface of the earth. It has no stability. Allah
will establish in strength those who believe, with the
word that stands firm in this world and in the
hereafter…” Q14: 24-27.


Examples of Good Words are: Adhkar (Praises of Allah),
Khalimatul Shahadah, Dua, Greeting, Words of
Forgiveness, Admonition, Appreciation, Recitation of
Quran, etc. Muslims are enjoined and commanded to
keep their lips busy with these words and give their ears
to these sayings.

Examples of Bad Words are: abusive words, curse,
deceitful language, falsehood, hateful expression,
malicious-gossip, hurtful statement, rumor, slander or
libel, sarcasm, obscene language/song, exaggeration,
evil and vain talk, [/u]etc. Muslims are warned to avoid and
refrain from this kind of words in their saying and
hearing.

RESPONSE TO WORD:
It is said that there is wisdom in quick and attentive listening to words and to be slow and patient in response to it. The Prophet said: [u]“None is more patient than Allah against the harmful and annoying words He hears from the people. They ascribe a son to Him yet, He bestow upon them health and
provision” (Bukhari). In addition, Allah says: “And it has been revealed to you that when you hear the verses of Allah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them until they engage in a talk other than that…” Q4: 140.
The Prophet said: “…And whosoever believes in Allah and the last Day should talk what is good or keep
quiet” (Bukhari). So Muslim should patiently and
thoughtfully give the best and appropriate response to
any word any time and any where!


Causes of Good Words: Conditions and qualities that
facilitate good words are must for every acclaimed
Muslim to assume and exhibit, these include: Faith,
Deep Thought, Reflection, Good Will, Patience, Hope,
and Truthfulness.


Causes of bad Words are : Unbelief, Anger, Frustration, Ill
will, Deceit, Ignorance, and Haste. - These habits and
deeds that cause bad words are forbidden. Muslims are
expected to avoid entertaining them.
The most evil word is to say Allah begets a child, or that
Allah is a man or Prophet in history. Allah says: “They
say, ‘the most Gracious Lord has taken a son’ indeed
you have put forth a thing most monstrous! At it, the
skies are about to burst, the earth to split asunder, and
the mountains to fall down in utter ruin” Q19: 88-90.
And any other expressions that assault or erode Allah’s
esteem and the likes are bad and evil.
The purest of all words that mankind can say is: ‘La
ilaha illa Allah’- Q47: 19. The Prophet said: “Whoever
says: ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ it will be his salvation
someday, no matter what befalls him before
that” (Baihaqi). He also said: ‘La haula wala-quwwata
illa billah’ is a sentence from the treasure of Paradise’.
(Bukhari). And said he: “There are two words which are
dear to the most Beneficent and very easy for the tongue
to say, but very heavy in the balance. They are: ‘subhan
Allahi wa bi hamdihi, subhan Allahi l Azim” (Bukhari).
These are spiritual words a Muslim should avail himself
with.

RECOMMENDATION: Allah recommends good word and
forbids evil ones: “Tell my servants that they should say those things that are best for Satan do sow dissensions among them…” Q17: 53. And “Allah does not like that the evil should be uttered in public except by him who has
been wronged...”Q4: 148.

Prophet Muhammad(SAW) said: “A believer is not given to character assassination nor to harsh and foul
language” (Muslim); “A Muslim is one from whose
tongue and hand the Muslims are safe” (Bukhari).

Allah says: “O you who believe why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say what you do not do” Q61: 2-3.

Allah’s command therefore requires that Muslims should
be decent and fair in their utterances likewise among
themselves even to the enemies of Allah. They should
speak politely according to the best standards of human
speech. A false or unkind word must be shunned for it
may destroy all one’s efforts at building up integrity,
conviction and piety. And of cause, no false joke!
Meanwhile, Allah requested silence when Quran is being
recited: “And when the Quran is recited, give ear to it
and keep silence, that you may be shown mercy”
Q7:204 In addition, Prophet Muhammad(SAW) asked
Muslims to listen carefully and keep silence when imam
is delivering the khutbah during jumu’ah (Q62:9).


BLESSINGS OF GOOD WORDS:
Prophet Muhammad(SAW) assured the Muslims: “Whoever can guarantee me what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs, I guarantee Paradise for him” (Bukhari). He
also said: “There is a servant of Allah who will utter
some words that is beloved to Allah, though he countsp
not upon it, and he will be made to enter Al-Janat
because of it. And there is a servant of Allah who will
utter some words that angers Allah, though he counts
not upon it, but he will be made to enter Hell because of
it” (Bukhari).
And Allah says: “Successful indeed are the
believers….those who avoid vain talk” Q23: 1-3. “Verily,
the Muslim man and woman, the believers men and
women…who remember Allah much with their hearts and
tongues. Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a
great reward” Q33: 35.

Meaning that, there is blessing and salvation for a
Muslim who awash his mouth with good words of divine
expression like adkhar, du’a, istigfar, and Quranic verses
as well as decent and morally right statements.


USES OF WORDS: It is only good words that have
benefits; bad words and falsehood have evil
consequences. Generally words are used; to make
request from man and God; to reject what one doesn’t
want; to categorize the word itself and to determine
whether to act or not, to read meaning to complex words
of idiom, metaphor, proverb, question etc; to react to
and clear issues on news and information; and to
determine the capacity or worth of people or ability such
as during interview. Also used in:

Calling to Faith and Guidance: Allah says: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious…” Q16: 125.
And when we invite to the way of Allah, we must do it
with wisdom and good discretion. Our preaching must
not be dogmatic; it must be gentle and considerate. Our
manner and argument should not be hostile, but
modeled on the most courteous and most gracious
example. When Allah sent Musa(AS) to Firaon, he was
instructed to speak softly and admonish him decently-
Q20:44. Mild expressions convince minds and change
habits, whereas harsh and offensive words deter.


Addressing Parents and Other People: Allah says: “…and that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address
them in terms of honor. And lower unto them the wing of
submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My
Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me
up when I was young.” Q17: 23-24.


As Sadaqat: The Prophet said, one’s word can serve as
sadaqat and can eventually lead one to Al-Janat,
preventing one from Hell Fire as he said: “Save yourself from the Hell fire even by giving the least thing as small as a seed of date and if you found nothing to give then
say the pure and good word” (Bukhari)


For Correction: The Prophet said: “Whosoever among
you sees a thing bad or disheartening, let him correct it
with his hand and if that is not possible let him speak
against it and if that is not possible let him reject it in
his heart and that is the weakest of belief” (Bukhari)


EVIL OF BAD WORD: Bad words spoils iman, bastardize
character, render worship valueless, cause problem and
pain to the body, disturbs minds, creates enmity among
people, incite Allah’s anger, satisfy Satan’s ambition. For
example, on falsehood, the Prophet said: “Whoever does
not give up lying and acting on those (lies) and evil
actions, then Allah is not in need of his
fasting” (Bukhari).

No wonder Allah says: Woe to every slanderer and backbiter” Q104: 1[/red]



HEALING EFFECT OF THE QURAN: Allah’s Word (the Holy Quran) and Sunnah of the Prophet indeed serve as the
best sources of psychological health with
psychoanalysis and psychotherapeutic words capable of
destroying worries and fear that lead to psychological
problems, which may constitute serious ill health.
Distress, sorrow, worries and fear as a result of bad
news, misfortune, doubts, threat, challenges, failure,
overwhelming task, pressures, wrong views, and others,
would lead to sadness and weakness of body and soul,
inaction, confusion, unconsciousness. Worship will be
hampered and faith will decline, even it may lead to
dysfunction of physiological activities of the body and ill
health such as hypertension, stroke, ulcer, insomnia and
other diseases of unknown origin may develop.
Almighty Allah, the Creator, Fashioner and Knower of
mankind- Q50: 1, sent Al Quran wherein there is cure
for all forms of psychological illness: [color=blue]“ O mankind there has indeed come to you an exhortation from your Lord
and a cure for whatever disease there is in the hearts
and a guidance and mercy to the believers” Q10: 57.

Thus, Quran is a good psycho-prophylactic /therapeutic
agent against every mind-body illness; emotional illness;
feeling of guilt; moral illness and others. Examples are
found in Q3: 120; Q5: 100; Q6: 116; Q7: 199-200; Q16:
45-47; Q17: 81-82; Q32: 17; Q35: 2-3; Q39: 53-54; Q65:
2-3; Q93:3-5; Q94:6. These Allah’s words clear doubt,
erase confusion, console souls, balance the mind,
strengthens the will power and guide deeds towards
nobility with assurance of successful and blissful end.
Aside, they destroy falsehood and expel satanic forces
in lives. Allah’s and Prophetic words do set tranquility
into every heart and life of a true Muslim and relieves
him of his distress.


QURAN THE OVERALL: Quran Kareem is the beautiful
word of Allah which skin and soul react, to find message
of peace, healing and guidance-Q39:23. The Prophet
(SAW) said in his last sermon: “Verily I am leaving
amongst you that which if you hold fast to it, you will
never go astray-that is book of Allah(Al-Quran) and His
Prophet sunnah” (Hakim) .


MIND YOUR TONGUE! Muslims are expected to protect
their tongues from illegal talk like telling lies,
backbiting, rumor and sarcasm or making reference to
charity done. Silence is preferred to such. Allah has
warned: “…neither backbite one another. Would one of
you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?” Q49: 12.
And: “Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than
charity followed by injury…” Q2: 163. The Prophet said:
“Reviling a Muslim is disobedience to Allah and fighting with him is kufr” (Bukhari); he also said: “Woe to him
who lies in his talk to make the people laugh.” It is
therefore destructive to be a careless talkative!
Ultimately he said: “Truthfulness leads to al-Birr
(Righteousness) and al-Birr leads to Paradise. And a
man keeps on talking the truth until he becomes a
truthful person. Falsehood leads to al-Fujur
(wickedness) and al-Fujur leads to Hell Fire, and a man
keeps on telling lies until he is written as a liar before
Allah” (Bukhari).One must therefore be mindful of his/
her words. The Prophet gave alternative: “Silence is
wisdom and a few are those who practice it” (Baihaqi).
Be then of the wise, or at best customize your tongue
with the highly rewarding Quranic verses or words of
Adhkar, Du’a, and Istigfar!

RION